This is a two-part curriculum package for teaching the structure of atoms. The first part--the Teacher's Guide--contains information necessary for using the equipment in a typical classroom including learning goals, vocabulary, math skills, and sample data for each activity. The second part of the package consists of photocopy masters for a set of…

This curriculum packet of teacher-developed lesson plans, intended for use with students in middle and/or high schools, focuses on student involvement in community projects. The first lesson plan, "Physics Park" (Scott McQuerry), aims for students to construct a playground and the examine the physics behind the playground's equipment. Students use…

This report presents the results of a fall 1999 survey of U.S. colleges and universities that offer doctoral, master's, and bachelor's degrees in physics and astronomy, focusing on degree production and current student enrollment. Highlighted are the following: (1) after four years of significant declines, physics bachelor's degrees conferred in…

This thesis investigates the effects of using computer-assisted instruction to supplement traditional classroom methods in high school physics. Students were divided into two groups, experimental and control, with the experimental group receiving the supplement of a drill and practice exercise by microcomputer. After a 2-week study, data was…

Examines why fewer college graduates from physics and science education departments become secondary school science teachers, what physics teachers encounter once they enter secondary schools, and why physics teachers leave secondary schools. Issues related to the latter area include low salaries, poorly equipped facilities, nonteaching duties,…

Lack of women participating in physics programs/study from introductory high school courses through doctoral programs is addressed. Attitudes developed by perceiving science as masculine and lack of female role models are cited as two causative factors. Recommendations for improvement at classroom, science department, secondary, primary, and…

Examined relationship between cognitive requirements of two chapters of a physics textbook for biology/pre-med students and their ability to use prerequisite reasoning skills required for its understanding. An average of 42 percent of students tested did not consistently use reasoning skills required to understand text concepts. Discusses tests…

Outlines methodology, demonstrations, and materials including: an inexpensive wave machine; speed of sound in carbon dioxide; diffraction grating method for measuring spectral line wavelength; linear electronic thermometer; analogy for bromine diffusion; direct reading refractice index meter; inexpensive integrated circuit spectrophotometer; and…

Discusses current uses of computers in United Kingdom schools, specifically in biology, chemistry, economics, geography, and physics classrooms. Suggests reasons why teachers are using computers and describes their application for simulations; construction, evaluation, and modification of models; and for academic games. (DS)

Different methods of teaching using the computer in a Computer-Assisted Instruction (CAI) system are discussed and illustrated with sample courseware in mathematics, physics, and elementary science. (DS)

Discussed is whether, and to what extent, science teachers critically and spontaneously attend to the logical structure of situations, and whether they need prompting, or completely fail to do so. The relationship between the results of this study and science teachers' pre- and in-service education is discussed. (Author/KR)

Presented are 29 science activities for secondary school science instruction. Topic areas include botany, genetics, biochemistry, anatomy, entomology, molecular structure, spreadsheets, chemistry, mechanics, astronomy, relativity, aeronautics, instrumentation, electrostatics, quantum mechanics, and laboratory interfacing. (CW)

Described is a mobile hands-on science program called "Light Works" that is brought directly into the classroom. The reasons for the implementation of "Light Works" into primary classrooms is discussed. The advantages and operation of this program are included. (KR)

Describes two applications of the microcomputer for laboratory exercises. Explores radioactive decay using the Batemen equations on a Macintosh computer. Provides examples and screen dumps of data. Investigates polymer configurations using a Monte Carlo simulation on an IBM personal computer. (MVL)

Describes methods for teaching mechanics. Concepts included are force, inertial frames, and rotation. Emphasizes how to feel or observe them. (YP)