Analyzes a study which examined the effects of teacher vagueness on comprehension of high school biology students (N=48) regarding the vascular system of angiosperms. Includes the finding that teacher vagueness terms significantly affect student achievement and student perception of lesson effectiveness. (CS)

A learning cycle involves the active participation of students in exploration, invention, and application phases. Describes one such learning cycle dealing with classification of matter and designed to provide students with an understanding of the terms: atom, molecule, element, compound, solution, and heterogeneous matter. (Author/JN)

Describes the use of microcomputers in data acquisition and simulation of physical phenomena. Discusses digital and analog inputs/outputs, simulations, and interactive programs in mechanics. Includes examples of computer programs. (SK)

Examines the objectives of remedial science instruction and provides a comparison of remedial and general biology courses in terms of hours of instruction, course credits, text assignments, tests, and laboratory exercises. Describes a biology-at-home course, which provides a laboratory kit, course syllabus, and study guide. (JP)

Discusses simplified experiments in which sinusoidal signals are detected when a laser beam is sent into a photodiode. (HM)

Suggestions are given for using zoos as a teaching resource. Cooperation is encouraged between teachers and zoo personnel. (SA)

Describes the nature of the neutron and describes how it was discovered. The interaction of the neutron with other nuclear particles is also discussed. (SK)

Describes aspects of the current status of biology teaching at the pre-college level, from an analysis of data collected from three NSF surveys, the NAEP, current textbooks, and other sources. Discusses previous and prospective viewpoints regarding goals of biology education, its curriculum, teachers, laboratory, and contemporary status. (CS)…

Reviews the stages of children's thinking according to Piaget's Theory. Illustrates how a curriculum writer might consider the complexities of a topic and match these to a level of thinking as represented by a school grade level. Outlines the implications of Piagetian levels in the construction of examinations. (GS)

Discusses an addition to an apparatus which allows the effect of temperature on a paramagnetic compound to be measured, therefore demonstrating the Curie-Weiss law. The experiment can be used as a demonstration or student experiment to stimulate discussion of magnetic susceptibility and ligand field trips. (Author/JN)

Summarizes the advantages in using the Daedalon Air Table, which supplies compressed air to the pucks instead of the table surface itself. Describes methods for constructing an electronic null detector using a Weston type galvanometer and an integrated circuit operational amplifier. Also describes a redesigned and improved sound-level meter. (CS)

Identified are reasons for discrepancies between desired states and actual practice of problem solving and reflective thinking. Issues discussed include describing the development of problem solving, using problem solving methods in instruction, outcome of developing students' problem solving abilities, and reasonable expectations of attaining the…

Summarizes representative research relating to the critical role of attention in concept formation in science. Topics discussed include curing, manipulation of symbols, and directions for focusing attention on particular aspects of concepts. (Author/DS)

Describes different ways plastic containers can be recycled for use in the science classroom. Uses of clear, opaque, and translucent plastic products in the science classroom are described. (DS)

Presents three different procedures in which reagents are added in a specified order to a large beaker containing an aqueous solution of nickel sulfate. Complex ions of nickel (II) are prepared by using aqueous solutions of ammonia, ethylenediamine, dimethylglyoxime, and cyanide ion. (CS)