Criticizes astrology and uses student interest to help encouraging critical thinking and the scientific method. Provides some thought-provoking questions, three activities, and resource materials and a list of astronomy organizations. (YP)

Describes the history and the development of the field of superconductivity. Identifies the significant interaction of electrons to form Cooper pairs. Presents background theory, describes approaches, and discusses problems encountered in the search for better high temperature superconducting materials. Provides technological applications of…

Discussed are balloons and electroscopes, understanding cosmic rays, cosmic ray paths, isotopes and cosmic-ray travel, sources of cosmic rays, and accelerating cosmic rays. Some of the history of the discovery and study of cosmic rays is presented. (CW)

Urges the inclusion of comparative psychology in the undergraduate curriculum. Defines zoological or comparative psychology as a field that explores the behavior patterns and minds of many animal species and the genesis, control, and consequences of a range of behavioral patterns. Traces the history and development of the discipline. Discusses…

Describes an approach to teaching the scientific method where an outbreak of cholera within the school is simulated. Students act like epidemiologists in an attempt to track down the source of the contamination. (PR)

Describes bioluminescence and the chemistry of how it occurs. Presents information for conducting the following classroom activities: (1) firefly mimic; (2) modeling deep-sea fish; (3) sea fireflies; and (4) the chemistry of light. (PR)

Describes scientific and technical accomplishments of the Chinese in developing earthquake detection procedures, paper making, and medicine and of Islamic people in developing astronomy and mechanical engineering. (PR)

Potential extinction of the human smallpox virus lies in the hands of a few scientists and policymakers. Whether this decision should be made can serve as an excellent issue for extended, focused classroom discussion. Outlines the history of smallpox, illustrates the debate, and describes preparation needed before discussing the issue. Also…

Considers the opportunities and ethical issues involved in genetic testing. Reviews the history of genetics from the first discoveries of Gregor Mendel, through the spurious pseudo-science of eugenics, and up to the discovery of DNA by James Watson and Francis Crick. Explains how genetic tests are done. (MJP)

During a symposium in 1997, speakers raised three issues about gender equity and research: (1) distinguishing between the meanings of the terms gender and sex, (2) assuring that science methods classes are gender inclusive, and (3) determining the reasons for changing practice. (DDR)

Explains how students can perform a refutation of the ether theory using information from the Global Positioning System (GPS). Discusses the functioning of the GPS, qualitatively describes how position determination would be affected by an ether wind, and illustrates the pertinent ideas with a simple quantitative model. (WRM)

Describes an interdisciplinary science laboratory course for non-majors that uses the history of science as a curricular guide. Profiles two sample projects that consider the importance of teachers to classroom dynamics and the institutional political context. (Author/WRM)

Describes the historical development of the field of ecology. Maintains that the ecological revolution, which began quietly in America, unleashed powerful forces of concern for the world and its future. (Contains 14 references.) (WRM)

Presents a state-of-the-art report on curriculum development in science instruction in American elementary schools.(CM)

Describes Boerhaave's contributions to botany, physiology, medical education, and chemistry from the late 17th to the early 18th centuries; his influence on other academics in Europe and North America is also discussed. (AL)