Discusses teaching methods for less able students, contradictions on the status of primary science, student produced slide-tape programs, and a world studies perspective for third-year chemistry. Also reports on science and personal education, chemistry examinations of the department of science and art, and astronomy in schools. (DH)

The Institute for Chemical Education (located on the University of Wisconsin, Madison campus) is offering revised and new courses for chemistry teachers and an expanded "chemistry camp" for middle school students. Teachers' courses will focus on: chemistry demonstrations; descriptive chemistry; chemistry activities; chemical instrumentation; and…

First-year college chemistry students (N=359) were surveyed to determine how high school chemistry prepared them for college chemistry and to make recommendations to high school students preparing to take college chemistry. Survey results and recommendations are presented. (JN)

Determined the factor structure of tasks which require students to visualize how diagrams should be drawn to represent effects of rotating three-dimensional structures about the three Cartesian axes. Results obtained from 149 English and 231 Singapore students show that visualization about X-, Y-, and Z-axes are factorially distinct. (DH)

Describes the development of an interdisciplinary chemistry-business major (University of Wisconcin-Eau Claire) designed to prepare students for nonlaboratory careers in the chemical industry. Provides information on courses offered, sample program sequence, and description of a novel undergraduate industrial chemistry course. (JN)

Reports on presentations and discussions at a meeting (called Powwow) designed to examine and evaluate the current status of computer use in chemistry and to consider appropriate directions for future developments involving computers in the chemistry curriculum. Also reports on activities of Project SERAPHIM. (JN)

Suggests a model of human cognition by describing similarities between human and electronic computers. This model might guide the development of software so that it is sufficiently powerful and flexible to be of value to human computers as they construct new knowledge in chemistry. (JN)

Proposes an approach to teaching analytical chemistry and chemical analysis in which a problem to be resolved is the focus of a course. Indicates that this problem-oriented approach is intended to complement detailed discussions of fundamental and applied aspects of chemical determinations and not replace such discussions. (JN)

Describes an experiment in which students become familiar with the organic chemistry extraction process, perform analyses by thin layer and column chromatography, and use the absorption spectrum (obtained from a spectrophotometer) for identification. List of materials needed and procedures used are provided. (JN)

Suggests a microcomputer/mastery-learning combination for more effective use of teacher time and management of records, tests, grading, and student directions. Mastery learning is discussed along with the many advantages microcomputers can provide toward this goal. (DH)

Discusses topics and issues related to conducting dangerous and/or potentially dangerous demonstrations. Includes a number of resources that secondary and college teachers can consult for additional information. (JN)

Describes: (1) thermometric titrations; (2) EM-5 equipment (consisting of a thermal sensor, calorimeter, and input-buffered amplifier); (3) acid-base titrations; (4) precipitation titrations; and (5) redox titrations. Detailed procedures are included. (JN)

Describes a technique for projecting reactions in test tubes by turning an overhead projector on its side. The technique can be used with any ordinary projector. (JM)

A 2-week unit on toxic chemical waste disposal is used in a physical science course for nonscience majors. Descriptions of the unit, supplementary student activities, and student library project are provided. Also provided are selected student responses to a five-question survey on the unit. (JN)

Provides examples which illustrate how microcomputers can facilitate various aspects of chemistry instruction, focusing on computer assisted instruction (CAI) and on the simulation of chemistry experiments. Brief comments on writing CAI programs are also included. (JN)