Describes how one could teach velocity and acceleration from a Piagetian framework. This approach is compared with the traditional method of teaching constantly accelerated motion to high school and college students. Some problems and a list of references are also presented. (HM)

Describes in detail the construction of an improved version of Hero's engine that is easy to operate and has a short response time. (GA)

A colliding spheres type of experiment is used with several hundred 4-12 grade students to test for knowledge of the concept of controlling variables. Results support the contention that the concept is developed gradually during the concept stage but not fully attained until around 14 years of age. (CP)

Outlines a simple method which shows the relation between work done in accelerating a mass and the resulting velocity of the mass. Equipment used includes a rubber ball, ramp of lumber, graph-chart, stopwatch, and hand calculator. (DH)

Describes the development of a robot whose mainframe is essentially transparent and walks on four legs. Discusses various gaits in four-legged motion. Reports on initial trials of a full-sized model without computer-control, including smoothness of motion and actual obstacle crossing features. (CW)

Examines the development of intuitive theories of motion among college students and children between the ages of 4 and 12. School-aged children made more erroneous predictions on the path a ball takes upon exiting a curved tube than preschoolers, kindergarteners, and college students. Results related to the "growth error." (Author/BB)

Examines whether kindergarteners, second-graders, fourth-graders, and adults can extract relative weight information from observing collisions and lifting events, and if they can judge whether or not collisions are momentum-conserving. Subjects saw either videotapes of events or sequences of static images; younger children appeared to be…

Describes a new method and apparatus (consisting of a steel sheet, electromagnet, base, balls, and carbon paper) used to perform mechanics experiments which, until now, required use of an air table. Also compares the apparatus to an air table, explores its range of uses, and examines rotational dynamics. (DH)

Materials needed and procedures for conducting two activities are provided. The first investigates drops of a liquid which float on water in a watchglass resting on top of a loudspeaker. The second investigates electromagnetic phenomena. (JN)

Describes an apparatus for viewing one- and two-dimensional collisions and coupled pendulums on an overhead projector. Suggested demonstrations for the two-dimensional colliding balls and for the two-dimensional coupled pendulums are provided. (JN)

Describes a sequence of five computer programs (listings for Apple II available from author) on tactic responses (oriented movement of a cell, cell group, or whole organism in reponse to stimuli). The simulation programs are useful in helping students examine mechanisms at work in real organisms. (JN)

The broad goal of this report is to describe a form of knowing and a way of participating in mathematics learning that contribute to and further alternative views of transfer of learning. We selected an episode with an undergraduate student engaged in a number of different tasks involving a physical tool called "water wheel". The embodied…

Most people think friction is what happens when two things are rubbed together. But there's so much more! Friction is a force that resists motion. Yet, without friction, motion would be impossible. Students will learn more about this natural force and the attempts made at controlling it in the world. Includes a hands-on activity and graphic…

The visual instruction section of the division of educational extension of the Bureau of Education has deposited in each of 35 distributing centers throughout the country an average of 113 reels of motion-picture film. In each of these centers these will be at once, or shortly, a part of a motion picture library. The technique of local…