Explains a series of laboratory activities which employ a microwave oven to help students understand word problems that relate to states of matter, collect data, and calculate and compare electrical costs to heat energy costs. (DDR)

Presents an experiment aimed at constructing a genomic library that can be carried out over a week. Helps students learn concepts such as donor and vector DNAs, construction of recombinant DNA, host strain, and experiments in gene cloning more clearly. (PVD)

Demonstrates how leaf slices provide an inexpensive material for illustrating several fundamental points about the biochemistry of photosynthesis and respiration. Presents experiments that illustrate the effects of photon flux density and herbicides and carbon dioxide concentration. (DDR)

Argues that the debate on whether to use performance-based versus prescriptive measurement approaches to environmental measurements is unnecessary. Believes that, as project managers gain more experience using data-quality objectives, the performance-based approach will become more popular. (MDH)

Describes an experiment in which plasmid DNA is digested with restriction enzymes that cleave the plasmid either once or twice. The DNA is stained, loaded on a gel, electrophoresed, and viewed under normal laboratory conditions during electrophoresis. (DDR)

Describes the study of dung-inhabiting or coprophilous fungi to illustrate basic lab techniques and fundamental ecological concepts. Contains 24 references. (WRM)

Presents methods that can be used to isolate the enzyme tyrosinase and to assay its activity. Lists instructions for a laboratory activity that has variable but frequently dramatic results. (WRM)

The present research describes an efficient procedure to obtain high levels of trypsinogen and chymotrypsinogen by using a simple, rapid, and easily reproducible method. The extraction process and the time-course of activation of zymogens can be carried out in a single laboratory period, without sophisticated equipment. The main objective was to…

This study investigates how high school students respond to an environment of authentic science inquiry while participating in an intensive summer institute, the Waksman Student Scholars Programme at Rutgers University. We examined how students apprenticed with expert scientists in a study of contemporary questions in molecular genetics. Students…

A new, fast and effective colorimetric analysis of the artificial sweetener aspartame is presented for application in undergraduate laboratory courses. This new method incorporates the use of a modified biuret reagent for selective detection and analysis of aspartame in aqueous solutions. The modified reagent is less caustic than the traditional…

Describes a training program for teaching assistants who presented laboratory instruction in a biology course and attended weekly seminars, in addition to being observed and video-taped while teaching. (LS)

Describes an exercise that teaches Mendelian inheritance using human traits which students find exciting and relevant. (LS)

An experimental psychology course which analyzes the broad probability of operant conditioning is described. (DE)

A course in teaching research methods in an experimental child psychology course is described. (DE)

Describes a method in which the effect of impurity ions in the dielectric is taken into account in the operation of the Kerr cell. (Author/CP)