Discusses Newton's idea of predicting very high temperatures of objects by observing the time needed for the object to cool to some standard reference temperature. This article discusses experimental deviations from this idea and provides explanations for the observed results. (MVL)

Describes the construction of a demonstration toy consisting of a rotating shaft suspended by a magnetic field with the cost being around $2. (MVL)

Describes the activities of the kNights of Physics, a group of preservice teachers, whose goal is to spread the knowledge of the fun of physics to elementary students and their parents. (JRH)

Describes a system that demonstrates how a color may be generated and specified in mathematical terms. Illustrates the mixing of primary colors as well as the concepts of saturation, luminance, and illumination. (JRH)

Describes a research program in which high school students act as individual investigators on scientific projects. Probes how to better introduce current scientific research topics and methodologies into the classroom. Provides an example using fractals. (MVL)

Describes a successful program at Syracuse University where university physics faculty present their research to the students on a level appropriate for a general audience. Discusses why it was done, how it was done, survey results, and general observations. (MVL)

Describes the history, construction, and use of a diffusion cloud chamber to detect and study radioactive materials. (MKR)

Discusses an experiment for elementary students based on the principle that the faster an object is moving when it is dropped, the greater the distance it will travel away from the drop point. Also discusses concepts of probability and statistics in the experiment and methods of alternative assessment. (Author/MKR)

Reports on a refresher training program that introduces experienced physics teachers to a reflective lesson-planning model and a more constructivist approach to physics teaching. Three instructional strategies developed by participants in the program and the corresponding suggestions made by their peers are presented and analyzed. (29 references)…

Stresses the importance of teaching physics concepts over having students work on word problems. (MVL)

Presents a series of simple activities involving generalized two-dimensional motion topics to prepare students to study projectile motion. Uses a pair of motion detectors, each connected to a calculator-based-laboratory (CBL) unit interfaced with a standard graphics calculator, to explore two-dimensional motion. (JRH)

Presents four examples of physics problems that can be solved with a graphing calculator. Problems included deal with motion, harmonic oscillations, sound waves, and blackbody radiation. (JRH)

Describes an activity that challenges students to apply their knowledge of motion to designing and constructing roller coasters. Emphasizes the processes students go through to communicate their ideas and the problem-solving skills they develop. (JRH)

Students in their first weeks of secondary school were asked to select from a list those topics they would be interested in studying in science. Gender differences were found in that boys predominately selected topics with a mechanical connection, whereas girls predominantly selected topics related to human biology. (Author)