Suggests that current approaches to mechanics following Newton's laws will not improve by better presentations due to conceptual difficulties of the approaches. Offers an alternative way of setting up mechanics which avoids some of the conceptual pitfalls but still requires mathematical ability. (Author/SK)

Two presentations at the 1981 International Conference on Chemical Education are summarized: (1) current and future rationales for chemistry instruction and use of Gowin's V for more effective chemistry teaching and (2) creative adaptability toward challenges of chemistry content, society, and the individual, focusing on learning chemistry by…

Lists concerns and recommendations of secondary school chemistry teachers related to: (1) safety; (2) curriculum development; (3) chemistry teaching profession; (4) multi-national problems (such as greater prestige for chemistry teachers in their community); and (5) student characteristics. (JN)

Describes an interdisciplinary classroom activity to explain the effect of the ocean on local weather incorporating principles from physics, chemistry, mathematics, and meteorology. (DS)

Explores several options and advantages of using microcomputers in science teaching. Describes programs for calculating pH, Maxwell-Boltzman distribution of velocities in a gas, atomic orbitals, and lattice energies. Also suggests use of microcomputers in the areas of simulations, scoring tests, and controlling stock. (DS)

Outlines a multidisciplinary course which comprises fundamental, practical, and experimental aspects of heterogeneous catalysis. The course structure is a combination of lectures and demonstrations dealing with the use of spectroscopic techniques for surface analysis. (SK)

Examines sociobiology (the biological study of human and animal social behavior on the basis of population genetics), which appears to have rapidly become scientifically acceptable, to determine if it constitutes good science. (PB)

Discussed is the question: "If science curricula reflect actions of pressure groups to include or delete certain content, is science a part of a basic, liberal education?" (PB)

Summarizes a pilot project which investigated how elementary school children in Southeast Asia learn science and mathematics concepts at different cognitive levels using the modified clinical method and group task approach. Includes the Concept Learning Project's basis, goals, phases, methodology, activities, and a summary of the findings. (DS)

Describes the diffusion of water molecules with terminology adopted from the physical sciences. Presents a set of student exercises (with answers) relating to the topic. (SK)

Summarizes impressions of primary science activities in the United Kingdom, including student assessment, curriculum materials development, teacher development and support, and school implementation of science at the primary level. (DS)

Summarizes "you do it" activities presented at the 1978 South Australian Science Teachers Association Conference. Topics include microscope use and maintenance, chemical slide cells, chemical models, sound waves, microwaves, astronomy, plant keys, reading geological maps, and natural dye processes. (DS)

Structure of physics can be treated as an instructional variable by teachers who make the choices: defined versus derived concepts, operational versus paraphrase definitions, and theoretical versus empirical relationships. Operational definitions and empirical relationships are recommended for beginning students; paraphrase definitions and…

Operation Waste Watch is a seven-unit program for grades K-6 which addresses such topics as litter control, recycling, and resources recovery. It is designed to instill in students positive feelings about the environment. (DS)

Presents a historical review of physical geography and its role in the school context. The physical geography lesson units (Soil and Water) of the Raumwissenschaftliches Curriculum-Forschungsprojeckt (RCF-Project) of West Germany are also described. (HM)