Provides background information on the equipment and knowledge necessary to do an astronomy activity on the earth's rotation. Details an activity in which students can measure the rotation of the earth using a camera and the stars. (CW)

Describes how short-term laboratory projects were used to teach population and community ecology to undergraduate environmental science students. Directed students to formulate and implement their own hypotheses and experimental designs. Uses questionnaire results and written reports to assess the contribution of the course to student…

Examines the usefulness of cyclic voltammetry to the determination of a complex compound's stoichiometry. Discusses the experimental design, laboratory equipment, and results. (CW)

Presents several teaching suggestions associated with the raising of monarch butterflies in classrooms. Emphasizes how this endeavor can be used to enhance the use of science process skills. (TW)

Describes two complementary laboratory exercises that use the glass fiber assay to assess receptor specificity and hormone binding affinity in rat liver cytoplasmic extracts. Details the methods, materials and protocol of the experiments. Discusses the basic concepts illustrated and the feasibility of using the experiments at the undergraduate…

Describes an experiment to discover the topology of plasma membrane aminophospholipids (phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylserine) using whole platelets and trinitrobenzene sulfonate (TNBS) as a probe. Reports changes in phospholipid distribution during platelet activation with simultaneous action of thrombia and collagen. Details the…

Describes how, using an overhead projector (OHP) and a transparent roll of acetate film, it is possible to demonstrate: (1) travelling waves; (2) standing waves; and (3) phase and group velocity applied to waves. The set-ups provide a way to demonstrate features which are normally difficult to visualize and understand. (JN)

Modeled after the program "Mastermind," this program teaches students the art of protein sequencing. The program (written in Turbo Pascal for the IBM PC, requiring 128K, a graphics adapter, and an 8070 mathematics coprocessor) generates a polypeptide whose sequence and length can be user-defined (for practice) or computer-generated (for…

Presents two simple techniques for physics demonstrations: (1) a projection lens system for oscilloscopes which uses an inexpensive surplus lens and enables the entire class to observe the screen; and (2) a polarized optical "Cheshire cat" which uses the overhead projector and Polaroid sheets. (JN)

Describes a demonstration in which gaseous ammonia and hydrochloric acid are used to illustrate rates of diffusion (Graham's Law). Simple equipment needed for the demonstration include a long tube, rubber stoppes, and cotton. Two related demonstrations are also explained. (DH)

Reviews the space classroom that would have been conducted by Christa McAuliffe during the space shuttle flight. Includes lab activities, word puzzles, vocabulary lists, and graph reading exercises for elementary science students. (ML)

Describes hardware and software requirements for interfacing a thermometer probe, via an analog and digital converter, to any Commodore PET, VIC-20, or Commodore-64 microcomputer (or other microcomputers with some modifications). Also describes use of the probe in an experiment measuring enthalpies of reaction to determine enthalpy of formation of…

Describes a laboratory experiment which explores the effects of adding inert salts to electrolytic cells and demonstrates the difference between concentration and chemical activity. Examines chemical potentials as the driving force of reactions. Provides five examples of cell potential and concentration change. (JM)

Describes an experiment combining qualitative and quantitative information from hydrogen nuclear magnetic resonance spectra. Reviews theory, discusses the experimental approach, and provides sample results. (JM)

Relates how Charles Martin Hall discovered the method of making pure aluminum metal in 1886. Retraces the events and steps that led to the process of aluminum purification. Includes diagrams of the apparatus used in the investigations. (ML)