Sunlight (solar radiation) provides many beneficial contributions to mankind, including warmth and energy, vision and photoresponses, photosynthesis, and vitamin D synthesis. Along with these positive benefits attributed to solar radiation, there are also adverse effects. A particular adverse effect of current interest and concern which is…

This paper describes the Scientific Tools and Techniques course for ninth grade students in the Dekalb County, Georgia, public high schools. The course is offered at the Fernbank Science Center, a magnet school owned by the Dekalb County Schools and Fernbank Incorporated and operated by the school system. Investigations are described in the…

Student-designed laboratory exercises have become an important part of the physics classes at Piedmont Virginia Community College. Rather than filling in the blanks of a laboratory workbook, students are required to design and carry out weekly experiments which relate to the physics concepts being studied. Using computers, standard laboratory…

Recent technological advances and new software packages put unprecedented power for experimenting and theory-building in the hands of students at all levels. Microcomputer-based laboratory (MBL) and model-solving tools illustrate the educational potential of the technology. These tools include modeling software and three MBL packages (which are…

This unit on chemical energetics is one of 10 first year units produced by the Independent Learning Project for Advanced Chemistry (ILPAC). The unit, which consists of two levels, provides a clear yet detailed and thorough introduction to the topic. Level one extends ideas from previous courses, introduces and emphasizes the importance of Hess'…

This unit on equilibrium is one of 10 first year units produced by the Independent Learning Project for Advanced Chemistry (ILPAC). The unit, which consists of two levels, focuses on the application of equilibrium principles to equilibria involving weak acids and bases, including buffer solutions and indicators. Level one uses Le Chatelier's…

This unit on hydrocarbons is one of 10 first year units produced by the Independent Learning Project for Advanced Chemistry (ILPAC). The unit is divided into sections dealing with alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, arenes, and several aspects of the petroleum industry. Two experiments, exercises (with answers), and pre- and post-tests are included.…

Radiolabelled pesticides are used: in studies involving improved formulations of pesticides, to assist in developing standard residue analytical methodology, and in obtaining metabolism data to support registration of pesticides. This manual is designed to give the scientist involved in pesticide research the basic terms and principles for…

A set of interactive, computer-simulated experiments was designed to respond to the large range of individual differences in aptitude and reasoning ability generally exhibited by students enrolled in first-semester general chemistry. These experiments give students direct experience in the type of decision making needed in an experimental setting.…

This publication provides supplemental information which can be used by the teacher to accompany each unit in the Regents Biology Syllabus. Each unit of the supplement addresses topics and understandings in the corresponding unit of the syllabus. These units are: (1) unity and diversity among living things; (2) maintenance in living things; (3)…

Background information, lists of materials needed, and detailed procedures are provided for five science projects. These projects involve constructing and using: (1) an electric pencil; (2) a buzzer to send coded messages; (3) a battery which produces light; (4) a radio that plays for free; and (5) a supersensitive cigar-box microphone. Diagrams…

A summer science camp was held in Korea for 30 ninth grade students gifted in science. Students were divided into three groups (physics, chemistry, and biology) for activities which included problem solving, brainstorming, and experimental work. The experiments of the physics group addressed the use of solar energy, the chemistry group focused on…

This paper describes the events following the news of Oersted's discovery of the effects of a current of electricity on a magnetic needle. It focuses on Biot and Savart's law which expresses the force between a current element and a "molecule of magnetism" that can be deduced from Ampere's law of interaction between two current elements.…

This laboratory manual consists of three major sections. The first section deals with Direct Current (DC) fundamentals, and is divided into 17 phases leading towards the design and analysis of a DC ammeter and a DC voltmeter. Each phase consists of facts and problems to be learned in the phase, preliminary discussion, laboratory operation…

This publication was developed as a portion of a two-semester sequence commencing at either the sixth or seventh term of the undergraduate program in electrical engineering at the University of Pittsburgh. The materials of the two courses, produced by a National Science Foundation grant, are concerned with power conversion systems comprising power…