Suggests specific ways in which laboratory activities might be slightly modified to increase students' understanding in science, based on recommendations from the National Science Education Standards and on constructivist understandings of the learning process. Contains 42 references. (WRM)

Analyzes undergraduate general-chemistry laboratory manuals (n=10) and identifies illustrative verbs representative of the types of cognitive skills given in Bloom's Taxonomy. Finds that, although the majority of the manuals are similar in their lack of promoting higher-order cognition, a few newer manuals possess the requisite activities for…

Presents the findings of research designed to find out whether students in a college chemistry course could perform self-assessments that were compatible with assessments performed by their professors, and in which the students would be confident. Discovers that, although a gap exists between student and professor assessment of performance, the…

Describes the use and effects of a continuous program for developing the instructional skills of graduate teaching assistants at a large research university. Most of the graduate chemistry instructors had positive attitudes about the project. Makes recommendations for program content. (WRM)

Describes the implementation of student active-learning methods into sections of mainstream, introductory general-chemistry courses. Discusses strategies used, including an absolute grading scale, use of informal "ConcepTests" in lectures, cooperative learning workshops, cooperative take-home examinations, and a student advisory committee.…

Presents results of an exam designed to uncover misconceptions about molecular shape and bonding based on the VSEPR model. Results are reported for high school students, beginning and advanced undergraduate students, beginning and advanced graduate students, and college-chemistry faculty. Finds that students seem to acquire both recall and…

Argues that the candle-and-cylinder demonstration does not show that air is composed of 21% oxygen. Finds that the heating of air results in a partial expulsion of air, and that the flame is extinguished by a local, rather than a complete, consumption of oxygen. (WRM)

Describes the development and implementation of the Super Science Connections course materials and elementary-teacher workshops at the Institute for Chemical Education (ICE) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. (WRM)

Describes the benefits of a program in which female undergraduate science majors conduct chemistry demonstrations for middle-school students. Finds that undergraduate women serve well as mentors to middle-school girls. (WRM)

Reports on a community-service project carried out by general chemistry students at the University of Utah. Students research lead poisoning then visit neighborhood homes to teach about lead poisoning, collect exterior paint samples, and analyze them as part of a chemistry experiment. Discusses service-learning and laboratory activities. (WRM)

Describes a demonstration in which a can filled with ammonia gas is crushed when inverted into a pan of water. (WRM)

Presents a modification of a demonstration in which air pressure crushes an aluminum beverage can with a 20-liter steel solvent drum being crushed instead. (WRM)

Discusses mathematical shortcuts that can be used to estimate the pH of most aqueous solutions. (WRM)

Presents a simple qualitative system for sketching all manner of acid-base titration curves, requiring only the approximate values of the acid or base ionization constants. (WRM)

Describes major changes that have occurred in the chemical industry over the last 50 years including trends in the development of products and processes, changes in chemical manufacturing, the globalization of business, and modifications of research laboratory practices. Discusses implications for chemistry education and predictions for future…