Discusses a microcomputer program that was created to simulate the behavior of a computerized "animal" so that students could practice the shaping of behavior. Describes mathematical algorithms that allowed the "animal" to show gradual improvements in directional movements after appropriate shaping. Reports that students were…

Antagonism is the production of substances by microorganisms that inhibit or prevent the growth of other bacteria. This paper demonstrates the antagonistic behavior of gram-positive coccus on the B. subtilis and Enterococcus faecalis gram-positive microorganisms, showing that the process of antagonism is sometimes dependent on the nutritional…

Describes a microbial bioassay, using molds as test organisms, that demonstrates toxicities of environmental pollutants. Includes laboratory methods and applications for the experiment. (MDH)

Discusses the complexity of chemistry concepts and the identification of instructional barriers in terms of current learning theories. Recommends teaching to improve students' conceptual understanding. Contains 34 references. (WRM)

Examines the thinking processes of 16 eighth grade science writers during laboratory report writing and explores the possibility that writing can contribute directly to science learning. Five students exhibited no mental reflection during writing whereas nine students demonstrated scientific problem solving including hypothesis and evidence…

Presents an activity that involves dropping spherical party balloons onto a sonic motion sensor to show that the force associated with the air resistance is proportional to both the square of the velocity and the cross-sectional area of the balloon. (Author/WRM)

Describes a procedure based on the assumption that during the rated lifetime of a light bulb roughly half of the radius of the filament evaporates. Explains how the filament's operating temperature can be deduced. (DDR)

Presents an authentic semi-guided student research project. Studies the impact of a regional invasion of non-indigenous worm species on decomposition in forest soils. Describes the experimental design, data analysis, and interpretation of the data. (Contains 16 references.) (YDS)

Describes the use of an oven bag as a sterile chamber for culture initiation and tissue transfer. Plant tissue culture is an ideal tool for introducing students to plants, cloning, and experimental design. Includes materials, methods, discussion, and conclusion sections. (SAH)

Describes changes initiated in the Level-Three laboratory course of the chemical engineering curriculum at the University of Adelaide that were useful in fostering higher-level skills and reducing the reliance on reports handed down from previous years. Highlights report writing and data analysis workshops and the laboratory project design…

Discusses how experiments can offer students different points of view on the mathematical concepts presented in class and bring these concepts to life. Presents an experiment that demonstrates the interaction between mathematics and fluid dynamics. (Author/ASK)

Describes a laboratory activity investigating important concepts in microbiology and ecology in which students design and carry out their own experiments and learn about microorganisms. Points out that all microorganisms are not dangerous and studies the relationship between Methylobacterium and plants. (YDS)

Presents an activity in which students perform a classic experiment designed by two Nobel Laureates to study mutation and scientific reasoning. (ASK)

Discusses the biology of magnetobacteria and describes how they can be used in an empirical test of natural selection that takes three to four weeks. Contains 11 references. (WRM)

Presents a laboratory activity using an Ob-scertainer which can be completed by students working as individuals, in pairs, and in groups. Explains the pair approach and focuses on the hypothesis forming process and group roles. (YDS)