Analytical and experimental methods are used to determine the natural frequencies and mode shapes of Aluminum 6061-T651 beams with rectangular and circular cross-sections. A unique test stand is developed to provide the rectangular beam with different boundary conditions including clamped-free, clamped-clamped, clamped-pinned, and pinned-pinned.…

In the framework of a curriculum reform in the Netherlands, an interdisciplinary open inquiry assignment has been introduced as a part of the final secondary school examinations. We developed and evaluated a preparatory open inquiry assignment to be used in science and mathematics departments of schools, in collaboration with each other: the…

Since the major causes of accidents are carelessness and a negative or apathetic attitude towards safety, this guide was developed to facilitate safe, stimulating science laboratory activities by providing both general and specific safety information presented in 12 sections. Subject areas considered in these sections include: 1)…

"Science for the Seventies" (SFTS) is designed to aid teachers and administrators by helping them select materials from available elementary science programs, modify on-going science programs, or develop a better science curriculum. SFTS encompasses 16 televised programs which provide introductory experiences appropriate for launching a…

Construction of laboratory equipment from earthenware clay uses art as a way to incorporate the element of science history into an Introductory Physical Science (IPS) unit on distillation. Classroom techniques for working with clay to construct distilling apparatus are outlined. Other supplementary material from the arts, including slide…

This publication is a laboratory study guide designed for mechanical engineering students. All of the experiments (with the exception of experiment No. 1) contained in the Mechanical Engineering Laboratory Manual have been included in this guide. Brief theoretical backgrounds, examples and their solutions, charts, graphs, illustrations, and…

This document discusses the relation between adolescents' expertise (their informational background, which can be accurate or inaccurate, about a particular task or subject) and their formal operational reasoning, and reports the results of three studies of the effects of children's expertise on reasoning. In Study I, adolescents from a rural…

Urges chemistry teachers to have students annotate the chemical reactions in aqueous-solutions that they see in their textbooks and witness in the laboratory. Suggests this will help students recognize the reaction type more readily. Examples are given for gas formation, precipitate formation, redox interaction, acid-base interaction, and…

Describes a simple thermodynamics experiment recommended for use in beginning chemical engineering laboratory courses. Outlines the theory behind the experiment, which determines the specific heat of a liquid. Discusses the construction, operation, and maintenance of the apparatus involved, along with the experimental procedure. (TW)

Contains 31 activities and experiments from the biological and physical sciences. Addresses such areas as reproduction, biotechnology, ecology, proteins, nitrates, aerosols, metal crystallinity, circuit boards, and photoswitching. (ML)

Provides suggestions for two exercises designed to assist and involve students in understanding chemical concepts. Includes a laboratory experiment for determining the Ksp of a saturated solution of calcium sulfate and a scheme for naming oxyacids and their salts. (ML)

Describes efforts in devising a method for determining sulfate quickly and accurately from rainwater samples. Explains the design and operation of the apparatus and identifies the solutions for the testing. (ML)

Presents as part I of a two-part series a study involving the intercellular transfer of bacterial DNA that codes for the resistance to antibiotics. Demonstrates to students that such transfers occur. Discusses laboratory procedures, materials and results. (CW)

Describes two experiments for demonstrating the properties of osmosis and semipermeable membranes. Gaseous and liquid osmosis are studied through the use of common laboratory chemicals and equipment. Offers explanations for the phenomena with diagrams. (ML)

Explains that triglycerides consist of a mixture of different compounds, depending on the total number of fatty acid constituents. Details the method and instrumentation necessary for students to analyze a vegetable oil for its triglyceride content. Describes sample results. (CW)