Presents a simple experiment--a marble rolling on a tilted desk--to introduce students to moving bodies. Makes difficult subjects such as measurement, calculus, modeling, and uncertainty easier to identify by putting them into a simple context. Discusses misconceptions, models, and measurements. (JRH)

Argues that data on siblings provide a way to account for the impact of unmeasured, omitted variables on relationships of interest because families form a sort of natural experiment, with similar experiences and common genetic heritage. Proposes a latent-variable structural equation approach to the problem, which provides estimates of both within-…

Discusses how teachers can introduce students to various scientific concept concerning motion, air composition, and heat by conducting an experiment: A peeled, hard-boiled egg is sucked into a bottle neck slightly smaller than the egg, after the bottle has been filled and emptied of hot water. Also discusses how students' understanding of the…

Presents activities to teach students the science concept known variably as center of gravity, center of mass, center of balance, or balance point. Gives examples of activities for the exploration phase of study, concept introduction phase, and concept application phase. (TJQ)

Presents a simple, practical, and inexpensive method for growing microorganisms that will help middle school students experience microorganisms and introduce them to important science concepts. Students grow microorganisms and investigate questions concerning environmental factors that affect growth of populations. (LZ)

Describes a technique for extracting a radioactive source from the atmosphere using a balloon, as a strategy to generate students' enthusiasm for and understanding of radioactivity experiments. (JRH)

Provides a laboratory experiment using a pendulum on the conservation of energy. The activity has an easy analysis, accurate results, and is enjoyable for the students. (MVL)

Presents an exercise that attempts to correct for the common discrepancies between theoretical and experimental predictions concerning projectile motion using a spring-loaded projectile ball launcher. Includes common correction factors for student use. (MVL)

Provides an inexpensive method (less than $125) for performing experiments usually requiring a laser. Suggests building a laser diode light source, a device for producing multiple parallel beams, a light meter, a polar/analyzer, a laser light show apparatus, and a circuit to modulate the laser diode intensity. (MVL)

Compares and contrasts the use of animals in English secondary schools and Australian high schools. Changes in animal usage in English schools over the last decade are described as are the influences that the National Curriculum in England has had on such work. Implications are indicated for Australian and English biology teachers. (Author/MKR)

Presents three experiments exploring aspects of the greenhouse effect. Topics and discussion includes radiation in energy transfer, emissivity and absorptivity, the irrelevance of reflectivity, a digression on insulators and convection, climate change, and radiative energy balance. (MCO)

Describes high-speed photographic methods used to demonstrate that the tip of a snapped towel does break the sound barrier. (ZWH)

Describes the use of chromatic musical instrument tuners to make frequency measurements of sound waves and as an exercise in the conversion of pitch to frequency. (ZWH)

Students often complain that lectures requiring simultaneous writing and listening is a difficult task. An alternative method is provided to teachers to facilitate note taking by students. (ZWH)

Describes a course for science education majors that explores the uses of computer-interfaced experiments in a variety of interesting activities. Several examples of biology experiments are given. (ZWH)