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…

Discusses laboratory procedures, classroom materials, and demonstrations including: a model for metallic/ionic structures; Friedel-Crafts acylation reaction; aids to teaching crystal structure; a metal displacement project; silver recovery from fixer and silver residues; iodine sublimation; nature of acids; card models for teaching bonding; and…

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…

Electronics companies, faced with growing competition from Japan and fearing a shortage of well-trained Ph.D.'s, are pouring unprecedented amounts of cash into university electrical engineering, computer science, and other science departments. Specific examples are cited. (Author/JN)

Outlines advances in the microbial production of pharmaceuticals, including the manufacture of penicillin and other antibiotics, vitamins, hormones, alkaloids, antitumor drugs, and interferons. (CS)

Compares traditional and newer methods by which microorganisms are used to produce industrial chemicals. Includes a discussion of economic considerations and new genetic methods in programing microorganisms. Details methods for producing enzymes, aliphatic organic compounds, amino acids, ethanol, n-butanol, and alkene oxides. (CS)

Outlines a variety of laboratory procedures, discussions, and demonstrations including polarizing power and chemical properties of copper and zinc, preparation of boron coordination complex, demonstration of amino-acid synthesis in the primordial environment, classification and reactions of carbohydrates, and four others. (DS)

Traces the development of the current understanding of what "literacy" in science should be. Offers viewpoints that "basic" components of biology should include the nature of science, the way it functions, and other nonconceptual dimensions of biology. (CS)

Reviews research examining the influence of facilities on science teaching. Concludes that facilities help to foster science teaching activities which involve students in a variety of stimulating activities, and that the physical environment affects study behavior. (CS)

Data from surveys/studies indicate that women/minorities achieve at lower levels, take fewer science courses, and lack sufficient role models. Most minority students have positive attitudes toward science but girls do not understand, use, or like science. Suggests exploiting positive Black attitudes and eliminating negative female attitudes to…

Describes the development of a "Tell Me Why" question-answer science column in a Rapid City, South Dakota newspaper. Includes sample question-answer items. (SK)

Examines energy production, utilization, and resources within a three-phase framework of human history: (1) small human population and low energy utilization; (2) exponential growth and exploitation of fossil fuels; and (3) a return to a steady state of energy utilization. (SK)

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)

Assessed affects of Computer-Assisted Self-Evaluation (CASE) system of multiple-choice testing. Learning and retention were examined in two equivalent groups of undergraduates. Students (N=34) receiving 24 quizzes with immediate feedback outperformed students (N=30) receiving two midterms with delayed feedback. (Author/DS)

Tested were all-verbal or verbal-pictorial presentations followed by either pictorial practice or a control task with 96 undergraduates; results favored pictorial presentation with review. Also tested were effectiveness of pictorial review tasks to a read-twice control with 50 different undergraduates. Pictorial review facilitated performance and…