Presents a version of the crush-the-can demonstration which is a hands-on activity in which students use an inexpensive, easily made holder for the can called Charlie's clamp. Includes some suggestions for the follow-up discussion. (DDR)

Describes the development of the multimedia curriculum at the University of the Arts (Pennsylvania). Highlights include degrees offered; the new multimedia lab, including both Macintosh and PC computers; an emphasis on collaboration and interdisciplinary knowledge; and preparing students for change. (LRW)

Describes a physics experiment investigating temperature prediction and the relationship between the physical properties of heat units, melting, dissolving, states of matter, and energy loss. Details the experimental setup, which requires hot and cold water, a thermometer, and ice. Notes that the experiment employs a deliberate counter-intuitive…

Describes a lab that introduces agarose electrophoresis techniques and basic information on proteins to middle school and high school students. Insists that, built around a scenario in which students must solve a crime, the lab has real-world applications that should spark student interest. (KHR)

Goodlad discusses his experience with laboratory schools; the mission of laboratory schools; the role of laboratory schools in the current school restructuring efforts; how the National Association of Laboratory Schools can help perpetuate laboratory schools; the legacy of the 1980s-90s in education; necessary changes in teacher training; the…

Presents a laboratory exercise on spicy food and body temperature that introduces the scientific method to introductory biology students. Suggests that when students perform their own experiments which they have developed, it helps with their understanding of and confidence in doing science. (Author/SOE)

Describes an experiment to illustrate the effect of food source and added nutrients (N) on microbial activity in the soil. Supplies include air-dried soil, dried plant material, sources of carbon and nitrogen, a trap such as KOH, colored water, and a 500-mL Erlenmeyer flask. Includes a diagram of an incubation chamber to demonstrate microbial…

Argues that many laboratory experiments are designed to be clever and challenging but instead are confusing and frustrating for most students. Describes the use of a teaching approach in English courses for chemistry laboratories in which students get to do the experiment for fun and practice, then meet with the teacher for discussion before…

Describes an approach for designing low cost learning laboratories by using new tools and combining existing tools in innovative ways. Discusses human problem-solving behavior and problem-solving instruction in complex situations, the role of software tools, and the creation of instructional systems development in systems thinking. (PEN)

Describes the use of a simple process known as chromatography to separate and observe the color pigments in leaves, inks, and other materials. Provides some historical background and detailed procedures. (DDR)

Presents an activity that enables students to gain a better understanding of the importance of polymers. Students perform an experiment in which polymer chains of polyvinyl acetate form crosslinks. Includes background information and discussion questions. (DDR)

Discusses the need to focus on student learning processes and strategies rather than only on technology in the classroom. Topics include classrooms, laboratories, and virtual laboratories; learning outside classrooms or laboratories; training professors; learning skills students need, including technology training; multimedia; team teaching;…

Reported are the results of a survey of undergraduate students regarding their attitudes about the use of animals in science experiments following a presentation of both sides of the issue. Survey methods, results, and implications are discussed. (CW)

Guidelines are offered for serving learning-disabled (LD) students in college writing labs. LD student characteristics identified by clinical observation and data-based research are reported for spelling, cohesion/coherence, and syntactic complexity/maturity. LD writers are distinguished from basic writers. Current practice in writing centers is…

Presented are the procedures and a discussion of the results for an experiment in which students select unknown carboxylic acids, determine their melting points, and investigate their solubility behavior in water and ethanol. A table of selected carboxylic acids is included. (CW)