Identifies a common laboratory problem that causes instrumentation malfunction. Provides numerous experiences of researchers whose results have been affected by humidity fluctuations, magnetic field fluctuations, trucks driving by, and other factors. (ML)

Examines whether participation in physical experiments together with social interaction with adults and school-mates favor the development of causal knowledge and the understanding of a complex physical subject. Concludes that the treatments can lead students to give up pre-causal explanations and to resort to physical ones. (Author/YP)

Investigates use of positron emission tomography (PET) to study in-vivo metabolic processes. Discusses methodology of PET and medical uses. Outlines the production of different radioisotopes used in PET radiotracers. Includes selected bibliography. (ML)

Investigates ground state electron configurations for some common elements using graphical methods. Bases observed tendencies on following ideas: "occupancy of differing shells, occupancy of differing subshells within a given shell, double occupancy vs. single occupancy of an orbital, and quantum-mechanical exchange." (ML)

Discusses the need for descriptive chemistry to be included in the freshman chemistry curriculum. Suggests using a one-page written handout on a topic to be highlighted in five minutes of class time. Lists the 17 titles in the series and includes four representative papers. (ML)

Addresses the growing size of college organic chemistry textbooks. Notes that at the current rate of growth, average textbooks will be 1544 pages long in year 2000. Suggests methods to reduce textbook size. (ML)

Considers three common cases of localized corrosion of metals: pitting, crevice, and stress corrosion. Provides experimental methods for studying all three methods. Includes a discussion of expected results. (ML)

Describes an experimental procedure for determining trihalomethanes (THMs) in liquids by gas chromatography. Provides recommendations for reactants and supplies to obtain acceptable results. Discusses the analysis of water from various sources: pools, lakes, and drinking water; compares these to three cola drinks. (ML)

Provides six fully developed library media activities designed to be used with specific curriculum units in art, reading/language arts, science, and social studies. Library media skills objectives, curriculum objectives, grade levels, resources needed, instructional roles, activity and procedures for completion, evaluation, and follow-up are…

Compares the effect of a chemistry computer simulation, written by the author, with the effect of an instructor demonstration. The study indicates that in this particular situation the operation of a spectrophotometer can be effectively taught by computer simulation method. The program is written using HyperTalk, the HyperCard programming…

Describes learning activities for elementary and secondary school classes that use hypermedia software to teach language arts, including book reviews and interactive fiction; science; social studies; communication among autistic preschoolers; problem solving with Legos blocks; and other interactive projects. (LRW)

Provides six fully developed library media activities that are designed to be used with specific curriculum units in art, reading/language arts, science, and social studies. Library media skills objectives, curriculum objectives, grade levels, instructional roles, activities and procedures for completion, evaluation, and follow-up are described…

Investigated the relationships of figural response items and open-ended verbal items in biology to figural and verbal mental aptitudes (n=24). Performance on the verbal items was positively related to verbal ability. Figural response scores were related positively to both figural and verbal abilities. (PR)

Investigates the relationship between school environment and science classroom environment in secondary schools. Reports that the characteristics of the school environment are not transmitted automatically into the science classroom. Concludes that the effect the school-level environment has on student learning is mediated by classroom process…

Contends that learning skills taught in science classes are of equal value for social studies. Discusses a two-step formula for establishing principles, hypotheses, and theories and then validating them. Presents and discusses eight skills used in science instruction that are applicable to social studies. (CFR)