Describes the process of osmosis from its discovery by Nollet in 1848 to modern applications. Uses experimental descriptions, illustrations, and photographs to explain osmosis. Discusses the technology of producing perfect filters and their applications in reverse osmosis to purify salt water and to filter blood in kidney machines. (PR)

The results from the testing of practical skills in science in the six participating countries of the Second International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Improvement Science Study are presented. The emphasis is on descriptive reports without extensive statistical tests. Some clear patterns of findings are evident. (SLD)

Improving schools by improving teacher training may be aided by using a modified laboratory school concept to create a clinical setting for training teachers. This article describes a cooperative training model that is based upon a mainstream academic partnership between public schools, universities, and teacher groups. (IAH)

This article describes the development and implementation of a low-cost self-access language center for students and faculty participating in English for Science and Technology (EST) courses at the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Nicaragua, Leon. It discusses the phasing-in of self-access facilities, learner preparation and training, and staff…

Programs that are intended to inform and provide "hands-on" experience for students and to facilitate the introduction of cell culture-based laboratory exercises into the high school and college laboratory are examined. The components of the CellServ Program and the Cell Culture Toxicology Training Programs are described. (KR)

Information on student learning in terms of amount and efficiency when using interactive video instead of traditional laboratory methods as well as questions on the use of live animals for instruction is provided. The methods, results, discussion, and summary are included. (KR)

The process used by California to revamp its college and university space and utilization standards is described. It involved establishing four space utilization and planning principles (simplicity, flexibility, accountability, consensus) and developed square footage formulas for four space types (classrooms, teaching laboratories, research space,…

Outlines five facilities considerations that school principals need to address prior to the installation of an integrated learning system (ILS): (1) placement, i.e., labs or classrooms; (2) wiring; (3) environment, including furniture and noise; (4) security, including fire, theft, vandalism, and misuse; and (5) usability, including afterschool…

Examines features of science experiments that make them interesting to middle school students (n=59 seventh graders). Compared a model of interest in learning with the reasons students gave for liking experiments. Latent partition analysis was used to derive an empirical model from characteristics of interesting science experiments. (PR)

Discusses traditional school demonstrations and experiments in hydrotropism. Explains that these experiments seem to "prove" hydrotropism, but yet most botanists reject hydrotropism. Teachers continue to teach the concept because it is logical and the experiments are simple. (PR)

Argues that tutoring programs are essential adjuncts to community college writing programs. Suggests ways that writing labs might combat the economic problems they face by combining personal tutoring with computers, limiting the skills the lab proposes to handle, and using professional staff to teach workshops. Stresses the importance of tutor…

Discussed is the elementary science teacher curriculum and its role in students' interest in science. Qualifications, teacher attitudes about science, college preparation, hands-on experience, science instruction, science method instruction, and the role of the administrator are described in terms of effective elementary science programs. (KR)

Describes an open-format laboratory school housed on the campus of Manakato University in Minnesota that was the antithesis of dominant schooling patterns in 1968. Wilson Campus School practiced early forms of authentic assessment, participative decision making, cooperative learning, nongraded student grouping, multicultural education, and…

Presents activities that utilize piezoelectric film to familiarize students with fundamental principles of electricity. Describes classroom projects involving chemical sensors, microbalances, microphones, switches, infrared sensors, and power generation. (MDH)

Shows how a memory aid can help teachers focus their short-term planning in terms of curricular and formative assessment. Delineates the essential elements of high-quality, short-term planning in science education. (DDR)