Conducted an experimental evaluation of Teen Outreach, a national volunteer service program. Found that rates of pregnancy, school failure, and academic suspension, at exit nine months later, were substantially lower in the Teen Outreach group, even after accounting for group differences at entry. Results suggest potential value of interventions…

Describes a laboratory experiment dissolving zinc from galvanized nails in which data can be gathered very quickly for statistical analysis. The data have sufficient significant figures and the experiment yields a nice distribution of random errors. Freshman students can gain an appreciation of the relationships between random error, number of…

Describes a quick, inexpensive laboratory demonstration of Charles's Law. The opening of a large, round balloon is placed snugly over the mouth of a narrow-mouthed 750-mL Erlenmeyer flask, which is then heated in a strong flame. At end of the full procedure, students easily arrive at the conclusion that the volume of a gas is proportional to…

Le Chbtelier's Principle states that, when a system at equilibrium is subjected to stress, the system will respond in such a way as to minimize the effect of the stress. Describes a lecture demonstration that illustrates shifts in the position of equilibrium caused by a variety of factors. The equilibrium mixture contains iron (III) and…

Describes a laboratory project for first-year biology students that examines competition among various cellular slime molds. After a brief introduction to the topic of competition and basic life history information about cellular slime molds, students choose a question and design original experiments to seek an answer. (Author/AIM)

How students develop forms for self-regulating learning is explored. It is suggested that they experiment, bootstrapping newer forms of self-regulated learning from prior forms. Obstacles are obtaining sufficient practice, remembering how learning was enacted, and reasoning about factors that affect learning. (SLD)

Examines how various public libraries in the Chicago area approach the issue of whether or not to allow coffee and food in the library. Discusses competition with "glossy new" bookstores; research, marketing, and experiments using bookstores as models; and the development of public lounges/coffee shops which are separate from the rest of…

Describes an approach for making chemistry relevant to everyday life. Involves the study of kinetics using the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide by vegetable juices. Allows students to design and carry out experiments and then draw conclusions from their results. (JRH)

Proposes an examination of the motives in having biochemistry students perform practical laboratory exercises. Suggests that a typical course should be viewed as a progression of skills development culminating in a final year, open-ended research project that demands that the skills be used competently and efficiently. (DDR)

Presents experiments with polarized light for grades 8-12 which can produce colorful effects with a minimum of equipment and can illustrate many principles of physics, chemistry, and geology. (MKR)

Describes an experiment designed to measure absolute zero using Charles' Law without the use of mercury. Provides the procedure and details of the apparatus and includes experimental results obtained using the apparatus. (DDR)

Describes a university outreach program that aims to enable teachers and students to learn the content and process of modern scientific inquiry by engaging in research and communicating their findings to others. (DDR)

Examined parental speech data demonstrating that linguistic input to children does not contain sufficient information to support unaided learning of the pronoun "one." Examined 18-month-olds' interpretation of sentences with a "one" substitution. Found that 18-month-olds have command of the syntax of "one." Because…

Presents a laboratory activity to teach medical biology to undergraduate nonmajor business students. Uses herbalism as the theme concept to integrate subjects, such as anatomy, physiology, medical theory, and terminology. Includes topics, such as herb collection, medicine preparation, and herb storage. (SOE)

Presents a set of activities for testing consumer products to encourage students to learn how to use scientific investigations in their everyday lives. Describes the penny flip experiment and testing a detergent. Students learn in a hands-on manner the importance of completing accurate laboratory reports, which allows them to analyze results and…