Activities in which students determine the half-life of a substance using M&Ms, solve a crime using chromatography, and calculate the speed of a toy car are presented. The activities include the topic, an introduction, the time needed, a list of materials, safety precautions, procedure, analysis questions, and teacher's notes. (KR)

Described is a science fair project in which M- and X-class x-ray flares on the surface of the earth were detected using a Geiger counter. Background information, the problem, hypothesis, a list of needed materials, the procedure, observations, conclusions, and a critique are included. (KR)

Presented is a way to measure the sun's radiation by using a radiometer. Directions for building both simple and complex radiometers, circuit diagrams, and an explanation on how they work are included. (KR)

Describes four activities that use graphing calculators to model nuclear-decay phenomena. Students ultimately develop a notion about the radioactive waste produced by nuclear fission. These activities are in line with national educational standards and allow for the integration of science and mathematics. Contains 13 references. (Author/WRM)

Western educators are forgetting the need to impart knowledge about modern warfare's consequences. Science texts contain little about radiation damage. The nuclear bomb's destructiveness to humans and the biosphere should be a teacher responsibility in several curriculum areas. "War is hell" should be educators' main message. (Contains…

Melanoma and skin cancer are largely attributable to over-exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR). Reports of UVR levels within media weather forecasts appear to be well received by the public and have good potential to communicate the need for appropriate sun protection to a broad audience. This study describes provision of UVR messages by…

The SunWise Program is designed to help meteorologists raise sun safety awareness by addressing the science of the sun, the risk of overexposure to its ultraviolet (UV) radiation, and what students and their families can do to protect themselves from overexposure. This Tool Kit has been designed for use all over the United States and its…

In recent years, the need for nuclear materials has decreased and the Department of Energy (DOE) has focused greater attention on cleaning up contamination left from past activities. The Office of Environmental Management (EM) within DOE is responsible for managing waste and cleaning up contamination at DOE sites across the nation. This collection…

Proposes the use of problems of the everyday world to motivate students to master basic physical principles. Cites the example of conversion of solar energy by a photovoltaic cell as a source of topics in electricity and solid state physics. (CP)

Discusses an engineering conference at which participants agreed that solar energy is a feasible energy source, although costs of such technology are presently very high. Also describes recent developments in solar energy research, and estimates the costs of this technology. (MLH)

Describes the steps in writing a computer program to solve radioactive decay problems by a digital method. (CP)

Attempts to utilize nonpolluting solar energy for home heating and electrical power are examined. (DE)

Drawing on testimony presented at hearings before the Subcommittee on Health and Safety of the House of Representatives conducted between February 28 and June 12, 1984, this staff report addresses the general topic of video display terminals (VDTs) and possible health hazards in the workplace. An introduction presents the history of the…

Nuclear winter, a term used to describe potential long-term climate and environmental effects of nuclear war, has been a subject of debate and controversy. This report examines and presents scientific and policy implications of nuclear winter. Contents include: (1) an executive summary (highlighting previous and current studies on the topic); (2)…

The environment we live in today is filled with human-created electromagnetic fields generated by a variety of sources, including radio and television transmitters, power lines, and visual display terminals. (In addition, there exists a natural background of electromagnetic fields.) The term "electromagnetic pollution" is often used to…