Presents an example of a greenhouse-effect experiment from the Climate Protection Institute. Analyzes the amount of carbon dioxide in ambient air, human exhalation, automobile exhaust, and nearly pure carbon dioxide by titrating with ammonia and bromthymol blue. (MVL)

Concentrates on the semiempirical methods MINDO/3, MNDO, and AMI available in the program AMPAC from the Quantum Chemistry Program Exchange at Indiana University. Uses charged ions in the teaching of computational chemistry. Finds that semiempirical methods are accurate enough for the general use of the bench chemist. (MVL)

Examines various educational technology projects that regional laboratories supported by the Office of Educational Research and Improvement (OERI) are undertaking. Highlights include innovative uses of instructional technology; tele-teaching using interactive audio conferencing; making informed decisions about technology; national teleconferences…

Reviews a variety of reports whose topics include education and the future of broadcasting in the United Kingdom; AIDS Health Promotion Exchange, a newsletter by the World Health Organization; pictograms on pesticide labels; animals in science teaching; and materials that teach students how to understand and interpret television. (LRW)

Presented is a blueprint for restructuring the first two years of the engineering curriculum. Four new concepts for the first two years are discussed: (1) the mathematical and scientific foundations of engineering, (2) fundamentals of engineering, (3) the engineering laboratory, and (4) the professional and personal enrichment program. (MVL)

Uses simple pulse NMR experiments to discuss Fourier transforms. Studies the generation of spin echoes used in the imaging procedure. Shows that pulse NMR experiments give signals that are additions of sinusoids of differing amplitudes, frequencies, and phases. (MVL)

Describes a technique for separating samples that range over 15 orders of magnitude in molecular weight. Discusses theory, apparatus, and sample preparation techniques. Lists several types of field-flow fractionation (FFF) and their uses: sedimentation FFF, thermal FFF, flow FFF, electrical FFF, and steric FFF. (ML)

The harmful effects of smoking tobacco are discussed. Instructions, lists of materials, and discussion questions for three activities to investigate these effects are provided. A glossary of tobacco-use terms is given. (CW)

A study of 36 first-year Northwestern University (Illinois) medical residents found that students' medical knowledge was a predictor of increased laboratory test use, that clinical judgment was a predictor of decreased laboratory use, and that level of caring was statistically unrelated to amount of laboratory use. (Author/MSE)

Compares the effect of a chemistry computer simulation, written by the author, with the effect of an instructor demonstration. The study indicates that in this particular situation the operation of a spectrophotometer can be effectively taught by computer simulation method. The program is written using HyperTalk, the HyperCard programming…

Tests in each science area were developed around six laboratory tasks. Students had to plan an investigation, collect and organize data, and formulate conclusions based on calculations and graphs. Over 1,000 students from 32 Ohio schools formed the sample for this study. Data are presented by skill and by task. An analysis for gender and school…

With thousands of activities available, how does a teacher select activities appropriate for the classroom? Describes the guidelines of the "Science Activity Filter," which provide a useful protocol for evaluating science activities for their value in the classroom, allowing the teacher to use resources effectively, minimize discipline and safety…

Students (n=143) at the Indiana University School of Medicine were surveyed--before and after pharmacology laboratory experiences using dogs--for their assessments of educational and moral aspects of animal laboratories. Most students indicated that the laboratory experiences did not involve immoral use of animals and were preferable to…

Field tests of the Science Laboratory Environment Inventory (SLEI) with (n=5,447) high school and college students in six countries furnished evidence that science laboratory classes are dominated by closed-ended activities and that females held generally more favorable perceptions than males. Describes the development and validation of SLEI.…

Discusses how computers have fundamentally changed the nature of the college language laboratory, examining specific computer programs and computer-based tools and systems. Computer-based language instruction will allow more individualized instruction, give students more control over what and how they learn, and expand the study of foreign…