The impact of oil spills and oil fires in the Persian Gulf is discussed. Activities to be done in the classroom that simulate oil spills are presented. Sample discussion questions and direction for the activities are included. (KR)

The relationship between specific gravity, salinity, and density in brine solutions is investigated. Students construct hydrometers to reinforce concepts learned in oceanography. Background information, salt requirements for the unknowns, directions, and reproducible worksheets are included. (KR)

Demonstrations in which glyoxal may be substituted for formaldehyde, a known carcinogen, are presented. An acid-base clock reaction and a copper mirror on the inside of a test tube are described. Directions for the demonstrations and safety precautions are included. (KR)

Activities that show students a practical use for chemistry using common items such as food products, pharmaceuticals, and household products as sources of chemical compounds are presented. The importance of having adequate resource materials available for students is emphasized. (KR)

An activity in which students research the effectiveness of recycling is presented. Students compare the types and amount of litter both before and after recycling is implemented. Directions for the activity and a sample data sheet are included. (KR)

The idea that the methodologies provided by research should serve as models in developing practices in the classroom and in finding adequate solutions to students' and society's problems is discussed. The thoughtfulness of science, the scientific method, and science teaching are included. (KR)

Several types of physics activities that use real-world problems to motivate learners, use computers to assist in developing conceptual understandings, connect problem situations to mathematical models, and use the models to analyze other real-world problems are presented. The topics of racing sports, sailing, and damped harmonic oscillations are…

Presented are seven investigations that examine circadian rhythms. Topics include attention span, body temperature, rhythms found in rodents and spiders, and possible genetic determination of circadian rhythms. Background information on plants and animals is given. (KR)

Described is a program in which students learn about spectroscopy and instrumentation to solve a chemical forensic mystery. Infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, refractometry, and chromatographic techniques were used. An example of a mystery case is included. (KR)

Demonstrations to help students change their misconceptions about chemical bond breaking are presented. Students' misconceptions about chemical bonds in both biological and chemical systems are discussed. A calculation for the release of energy from respiration is presented. (KR)

The outline for a unit on the chemistry of fitness and nutrition is presented. Topics discussed include the organic basis of life, functional groups, kitchen experiments, micronutrients, energetics, fitness vs. fatness, current topics, and evaluation. This unit reviews the basic concepts of chemical bonding, acid-base chemistry, stoichiometry, and…

An activity that introduces the concept of chaos to students is presented. Smoke rising from burning incense is used to represent changes in atmospheric flow. The lab, involving fluid dynamics, avoids mathematical models to highlight deterministic chaos within nature itself. Reproducible pages are provided. (KR)

A third-semester physics course that covers the topics of atomic physics, the theory of relativity, and nuclear energy is described. Activities that include the phenomenon of radioactivity, field trips to a nuclear power plant, a simulation of a chain reaction, and comparing the size of atomic particles are presented. (KR)

The differences between schools in the United States, Japan, and Russia are discussed. An analysis of the culture of the United States to direct science teaching and learning toward the end that will allow the open society to survive has been proposed. (KR)

Science education in the United States is compared to the programs in Eastern Europe and the U.S.S.R., Japan and the Far East, and Western Europe. Student attitudes, scientific literacy of students, teacher qualifications, academic achievement, high school completion rates, educational reform, and national curriculums are discussed. (KR)