Discusses an enzyme kinetics laboratory experiment involving a two substrate system for undergraduate biochemistry. Uses the enzyme gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase as this enzyme in blood serum is of clinical significance. Notes elevated levels are seen in liver disease, alcoholism, and epilepsy. Uses a spectrophotometer for the analysis. (MVL)

Presents two experiments: the first one measures the heat of an exothermic reaction by the reduction of permanganate by the ferris ion; the second one measures the heat of an endothermic process, the mixing of ethanol and cyclohexane. Lists tables to aid in the use of the solution calorimeter. (MVL)

Examines reasons why individuals in academic institutions do not feel the same safety-related pressures as individuals in nonacademic institutions. Also lists elements that should be included in any basic safety/health program and describes the steps taken at one college to improve laboratory safety. (JN)

Past, present, and future trends in chemical education are discussed. Among the areas considered are the earliest traditions in chemistry, lessons learned from past experiences, research in chemical education, fostering excellence in precollege science education, and instructional innovation in chemistry. (JN)

Presents selected recommendations from the American Chemical Society Chemistry Education Task Force's list of 39 principal and 52 supplementary recommendations. Those listed focus on all levels of education, elementary school science, high school chemistry and science, two-year college chemistry, college/university chemistry and science, chemistry…

Hypothesizes that overloading the working memory may leave no space for thought and organization such that faulty (or even no) learning takes place. Provides examples of this hypothesis and possible remedies. These remedies focus on design of laboratory manuals and equipment and on curriculum content order. (JN)

Examines how information from psychological and educational research was used to develop and implement a remedial chemistry course, focusing on the viewpoint of a learning process based on research in cognitive science. Comments on textbook selection, testing, scheduling, instructional strategies, and other areas are included. (JN)

Discusses: (1) the conflict about the importance of research at predominantly undergraduate schools; (2) sources of funding for undergraduate research (several of which are targeted at predominantly undergraduate institutions); and (3) undergraduate research at doctoral-granting institutions. (JN)

Examines the present state and future of high school chemistry, and whether a crisis exists in chemistry at the high school level. Also proposes a new model for chemistry education and suggests that new materials and sufficient training and retraining are needed to implement new ideas and instructional strategies. (JN)

Alternatives to traditional, large-class lecturing are discussed. They include using canned lectures, demonstrations and lecture experiments, computer simulations, problem-solving strategies, breaks during lectures, and movies. Moving out of large classrooms to laboratories and resource rooms (or giving an examination) is also suggested. (JN)

Emphasizes the value of demonstrations and offers a list of criteria for good chemistry demonstrations. A demonstration which parodies a television commercial is used to illustrate several of these criteria. (JN)

Factors affecting traditional laboratory instruction in chemistry are discussed. They include: responses to potential hazards in the undergraduate laboratory; student distaste for laboratory classes; equipment and chemical costs; lack of qualified teaching assistants; and faculty pressures to do research. New directions for introductory…

Provides examples which illustrate how microcomputers can facilitate various aspects of chemistry instruction, focusing on computer assisted instruction (CAI) and on the simulation of chemistry experiments. Brief comments on writing CAI programs are also included. (JN)

Uses of videotaped instruction in the laboratory are discussed. Also discusses: (1) uses and advantages of videotaped instruction in the lecture; (2) facilities for producing videotapes; (3) facilities for using videotapes; and (4) the advantages of using interactive videodiscs for chemistry instruction. (JN)

Although the concept of heat permeates the subject of chemistry, conceptual and semantic inconsistencies related to this concept are found in classroom situations and in the literature. These conceptual and semantic inconsistencies are examined, exploring other problematic areas associated with the concept (such as notation and entropy flow). (JN)