Describes a course on alternative conceptions in physics that has been used with preservice students as well as with inservice teachers in Indonesia. Most preservice students progress in mastery of high school level concepts, however, the length of the effects are not known. (LZ)

Defines a few major reasons for the frequent failure of laboratory instructional methods and outlines some modes of thinking that seem to promise greater effectiveness and firmer justification for maintaining the laboratory as an essential component of physics teaching. (MVL)

Describes a technique of relating distances star light has traveled to events in modern history. The mathematical background for the technique is given along with five star tables which include diagrams, star names, corresponding events and dates, and light year distances. (MVL)

Describes the use of multimedia applications using Apple's QuickTime(TM) protocol to easily generate video clips or segments with sound and color and incorporate these into a computer-based document that can be used as lecture materials, a course textbook, or a lab manual. (LZ)

Investigates how Swedish pupils address chemistry, physics, and technology in compulsory school. Findings show girls seek "connected knowledge," reject technology, and are more theoretical in their approach to science. Boys are more practical in their approach to science and tend to create disorder. Girls interested in science generally…

Describes the use of the black-box technique to explore electrical circuit design and circuit elements. (JRH)

Investigated a microcomputer-based system for the diagnosis and remediation of three Aristotelian alternative conceptions of force and motion held by eighth-grade physical science students. Reports that computer simulations exemplifying canonical conceptions facilitate alteration of students' naive conceptions to a significant degree. Suggests…

Describes a computer-based prelaboratory lecture to replace traditional lecture. Discusses how the CUPLE method was developed, the course structure, and a typical course day. (MVL)

Provides simple techniques for demonstrating and recording the effect of the changing shapes of moving objects when viewed through a moving slot. Includes a puzzle. A computer shareware program (IBM compatible) that simulates the distortions is available from the author. (MVL)

Examines whether and to what extent general education STS and physics courses helped college students build more informed, realistic views about the interactions among science, technology, and society. General education STS courses were found to be of value while the physics course had almost no impact on students' views. (LZ)

Describes a method to create holograms for use in different interferometry techniques. Students utilize these techniques in experiments to study the structural integrity of a clarinet reed and the effects of temperature on objects. (MDH)

Describes a photogate electronic flash trigger that synchronizes flash discharge with high-speed events. Presents a photographic study of a high-speed collision demonstrating the passage of a BB through an elastic strip. Provides the schematic of the delay circuit utilized in the trigger. (MDH)

Describes a homemade experimental chamber constructed to accurately measure the refractive index of a transparent liquid. (MDH)

Discusses the use of computers in physics education as a tool in individual student research projects for simulating both simple and more complicated phenomena. Reviews IBM compatible software associated with computer-assisted instruction in physics education. (PR)

In developing a physics course that would capture medical student interest at the University of Queensland (Australia), it was discovered that there is minimal correlation between students' interest in a subject and perceptions of its difficulty but strong correlation between interest and perception of its relevance to clinical studies.…