An apparatus simulating residential thermostat control was developed to test claim that lowering house thermostats saves energy and to give students a better understanding of how thermostats work. The apparatus (includes diagram of same) and student activity are described. (JN)

Describes solar phenomena which can be identified and recorded by junior high school students. These include monitoring sunspot cycles, measuring sunspot velocity, calculating sunspot numbers, and calculating time. Methods to accomplish these activities (including projection method using telescope) are also described. (JN)

Presents a predator-prey simulation which involves students in collecting data, solving problems, and making predictions on the evolution of prey populations. Provides directives on how to perform the chi-square test and also includes an Applesoft BASK program that performs the calculations. (ML)

Discussed are the basic and specialized skills needed for graphing exercises. Suggests approaches and activities that can be used in the teaching of graphing skills. Includes a listing of software programs for both teaching graphing and for analyzing data. (ML)

Presents an open-ended experiment which has students exploring polymer chemistry and reverse osmosis. This activity involves construction of a polymer membrane, use of it in a simple osmosis experiment, and application of its principles in solving a science-technology-society problem. (ML)

Identifies associations, programs, and resource materials which provide assistance to physics teachers. Explains the opportunities sponsored through the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT) and cites examples of workshops, institutes, and kits that were designed to improve physics instruction. (ML)

Examines the data on enrollment of minority students in the sciences and explores the factors that may have influenced this underrepresentation. Offers suggestions and outlines approaches for increasing minority enrollment. Includes a scenario which illustrates sensitivity to a minority group's traditions. (ML)

Reports ninth-grade students reactions to statements about science and how science affects their lives. Data taken from the questionnaires of the Second International Science Study indicated that students had a positive view of science but seemed to become more critical as science began to have an impact on their lives. (ML)

Provides descriptions of activities and programs that have been successful with secondary science students. Includes ideas related to repairing radio-controlled cars, cooperative science-library center, observation exercises, recordkeeping skills and peer grading, DC power supply, chemistry of poison ivy, spore science, and a tic-tac-toe review…

Suggests using a vortex generator to produce tornados in the classroom. Instructions for making the generator and for producing the tornado are provided. (JN)

Describes instructional uses of computer programs found in David Heiserman's book "Projects in Machine Intelligence for Your Home Computer." The programs feature "creatures" of various colors that move around within a rectangular white border. (JN)

Provides instructions for making tin can radiation detectors from empty aluminum cans, aluminum foil, clear plastic, copper wire, silica gel, and fine, unwaxed dental floss put together with tape or glue. Also provides suggestions for activities using the detectors. (JN)

Provides background information for teachers on mitochondrial DNA, pointing out that it may have once been a free-living organism. Includes a ready-to-duplicate exercise titled "Using Microchondrial DNA to Measure Evolutionary Distance." (JN)

Describes an activity from the ninth-grade physical science program at the Energy Management Center, the outdoor science and energy education center for students in Pasco County, Florida. The activity focuses on making an effective solar collector. (JN)

Provides a short history of chemistry education in the United States. Indicates that although the chemistry of the first half of the twentieth century was theoretical in nature, chemistry teaching today seems to be returning to the utilitarian focus of colonial chemistry. (JN)