Examines the familiar serial to derived paired-associates transfer task in the light of expectations about the amount of positive transfer it should produce. Suggests, contrary to long-standing assumptions, that this paradigm cannot be expected to yield more than relatively moderate degrees of transfer because the utilization of response-produced…

Describes an experiment in which chemistry students determine the efficiency of a laboratory burner used to heat water. The reaction is assumed to be the complete combustion of methane, CH4. The experiment is appropriate for secondary school chemistry students familiar with heats of reaction and simple calorimetry. Contains pre-laboratory and…

Describes a laboratory exercise involving methylene blue and L-ascorbic acid in a simple clock reaction technique to illustrate the basic concepts of chemical kinetics. If stock solutions are supplied and each type of experiment takes no more than half an hour, the entire investigation can be completed in three practical sessions of three hours…

Explains the allium test in which roots are excised from onion bulblets grown in aqueous solutions of a test agent. Root tips are then isolated and stained with aceto-orcein, and chromosomal aberrations are microscopically observed. (Author/AIM)

Thermochromism is the reversible change of color of a solid when heated or cooled. Describes the preparation of thermochromic compounds that exhibit sharp thermochromic transitions. (DKM)

Presents a simple method of recording root growth which can be used in schools. A slant board system was designed to facilitate access to roots to enable measurements to be made, essentially forcing the roots to grow in a two-dimensional form which allows each student to observe and record root growth over several weeks. (AIM)

Describes an approach to teaching physics to science teachers using the history of science. Reports that history becomes more useful to teachers when explicitly combined with investigative experimentation, which in turn can benefit from various uses of the history of science. Contains 18 references. (JRH)

Describes an approach to teaching atomic, nuclear, and particle physics using the history of the most important discoveries in that field. Uses the manuscripts, first publications, measurements and data of initial discoveries, and the photos of apparatus and of famous physicists to arouse student interest. Presents examples from the life and work…

Describes a technique that measures the deformation produced in a plastic material by a falling ball in order to compute the ball's kinetic energy. Varying the parameters produces accurate results and gives students a good understanding of the measurement of energy. Combines various mechanical concepts that students have learned separately in…

Presents a laboratory model system for introductory microbiology students that involves hands-on studies of bacteria vectored in soil nematodes. Describes a series of experiments designed to demonstrate vector-fomite transmission, bacterial survival, and disinfectant activity. Introduces the concept of genetically engineered microorganisms and the…

Discusses the use of the least-squares regression line in determining the optimum straight line in an efficient and objective manner and the validity of its underlying assumptions in certain situations. Discusses the treatment of kinetic data, distortion from large errors, and the Guggenheim method. (JRH)

Describes a laboratory exercise containing a practical series of experiments that novice students can perform within two hours. The exercise provides a confirmation of van't Hoff's law while placing more emphasis on osmotic flow than pressure. Students can determine parameters such as the reflection coefficient which stress the interaction of both…

Attempts to identify skills shown when able students work on open investigations. Findings indicate that these students use knowledge, carry out preliminary work, decide on objectives, are flexible, use a range of techniques, attempt to quantify, seek information from different sources, use time efficiently, report work, show critical appraisal of…

Presents the view that the explanation of the Golden Penny Experiment found in popular chemistry textbooks is insufficient or incorrect in part. Reports a series of electrochemical measurements that lead to a logical explanation for this demonstration and to a simplified design that makes it safer. (DDR)

Explores the differences of problem-solving procedures and thinking structures between science and nonscience Chinese graduate students. Discusses differences in designing experiments, exploring new questions, planning, assumptions, and validity. Concludes that the reasoner's epistemology or academic experiences might strongly influence these…