Presents a historical overview of developments in ionospheric physics and examines relationships between federal funding and knowledge growth in this field. Summarizes the views of ionsphere researchers on funding, the role of funding program managers, and the nature of funding agencies. Reviews advancements related to entrepreneurs and resources…

Sixth graders built working "robots" (or grasping bars) for remote control use during a unit on simple mechanics. Steps for making a robot are presented, including: cutting the wood, drilling and nailing, assembling the jaws, and making them work. The "jaws," used to pick up objects, illustrate principles of levers. (DH)

Presents abstracts of selected papers dealing with: (1) enhancing computer skills of Brazilian science teachers; (2) course integration; (3) evaluating student performance using microcomputers; (4) a computer-assisted reading and mathematics program; (5) an interactive computer graphics system for teaching geometry, and (6) computer dialogs for…

Describes a laboratory exercise that introduces physics students to graphing. Presents the program format and sample output of a computer simulation of an experiment which tests the effects of sound intensity on the crawling speed of a snail. Provides students with practice in making exponential or logarithmic graphs. (ML)

Proposes an analog circuit for use in sedimentation analysis of finely divided solid materials. Discusses a method of particle size distribution analysis and provides schematics of the circuit with list of components as well as a discussion about the operation of the circuit. (JM)

Describes use of a Fresnel biprism to demonstrate double-slit interference with polarized light. Discusses polarization and phase properties of a randomly polarized gas. (JM)

Suggests that students can learn the physics of a musical note by learning how to synthesize sounds on a computer. Discusses ADSR (attack, decay, sustain, and release of a note) and includes a program (with listing) which students can use to examine ADSR on a Commodore 64 microcomputer. (JN)

Examines the extent to which technology and applied physics should be included in introductory physics courses. Areas explored include the meaning of applied physics, the nature of pure and applied physics, and applied physics as viewed by a scientist, an educator, and society. Implications for the physics curriculum are addressed. (JN)

Project Physics is taught at Gibault High School (Waterloo, IL) using a modular schedule and learning activity packets. A description of the course, instructional strategies used, and the learning activity packets is provided. (JN)

While students are able to cope with the slide-wire Wheatstone bridge, the slide-wire potentiometer has had a long history of confusing and frustrating elementary physics students. Therefore, a new approach for teaching and using the potentiometer has been developed. This approach is described. (JN)

A remedial instructional strategy (developed and implemented in ninth-grade physics classes) was found to significantly affect low/mixed ability students' achievement. The method was developed on the basis of a needs assessment of students' backgrounds and a detailed task analysis of the physics course's cognitive demands. (JN)

Investigated preservice physics teachers' ability to make judgments of observed teaching during one of two courses. Students in an inductive course (N=24) engaged in peer teaching before receiving instruction in theory. Students in a deductive course (N=26) received instruction in theory before peer teaching. (JN)

Investigated the influence that changing the form of the learning cycle's exploration/expansion phases had on the content understandings developed by students and their attitudes toward the learning procedures used. The naturalistic data presented show that students believed learning physics is enhanced by the regular-form learning cycle (which…

Compared the effectiveness of using guided-design or traditional approaches to study the energy problem in America. Examined to what extent students: (1) actually learned material; (2) perceived they learned the material; and (3) became more involved in discussing and considering solutions to energy problems. Includes course and guided-design…

Examines career choices for students completing secondary physics in England and suggests that only one-fourth aim for careers with a direct involvement in physics. Indicates that changes are needed because the current course remains "physics by physicists for physicists" and does not develop student understanding and emphasize practical…