Outlines the different alternative assessment strategies used by different biology instructors at Florida State University, each teaching a section of a new biology course for prospective elementary and early childhood teachers. Provides suggestions for similar relatively small classes as well as for large college classes. (JRH)

Describes a classroom exercise that uses a letter from Max Delbruck to George Beadle to stimulate interest in the mechanics of a nonoverlapping comma-free code. Enables students to participate in the rich history of molecular biology and illustrates to them that scientists and science can be fun. (JRH)

Describes an honors general physics course designed to demonstrate to students that physics is vital to their understanding of physiology, medicine, the human body, rehabilitation, and other health fields. Presents evidence that indicates that active group learning and connections to real-world applications help students learn physics and apply…

Describes the "Disease of the Week" report, an approach designed to integrate writing into a large freshman introductory biology class. Enables students to develop scientific writing skills and gain an appreciation of the role of scientific concepts in their lives. (JRH)

Describes the Multidisciplinary Studies program at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth that provides advanced coursework in the sciences without requiring that a student major in a specific science. Focuses on the fields of environmental science, cognitive science, gerontology, and environmental psychology. (JRH)

Presents a case study of an unsafe situation in a science laboratory and its administrative consequences. Discusses issues related to laboratory safety and faculty evaluation. (JRH)

Presents the use of paradoxes as a strategy that enables students to develop their problem-solving and critical-thinking skills. Involves confronting the students with two very plausible ideas that they would normally accept uncritically, and then showing that the two ideas are apparently not compatible with each other. Discusses paradoxes in…

Describes the mission and goals of the Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) and its collaboration with Edison Community College (ECC). Topics discussed include information acquisition, integration of curriculum, undergraduate research, and assessment. (JRH)

Discusses the need for the integration of scientific research and science education, graduate education in astronomy, the current status of federally funded research and education, and the impact of budget cuts on scientific research and education. (JRH)

Discusses the use of science history and etymology in science instruction in order to maintain students' interest. Presents a specific example of the historical background of pharmacology. (JRH)

Analyzes the great diversity in problem-solving strategies used by students in solving a chemistry problem and discusses the relationship between these variables and different cognitive variables. Concludes that students try to circumvent certain problem-solving strategies by adapting flexible and stylistic innovations that render the cognitive…

Presents the Ramsen demonstration, a chemical demonstration that involves the reaction between copper and concentrated nitric acid. Outlines Ira Ramsen's description of the experiment, a modified version of it, the interpretation, and applications. (JRH)

Addresses the issue of student cheating in undergraduate programs. Discusses the role of student-managed honor systems in addressing this problem. (JRH)

Describes a comprehensive, four-year integrated character development program at the Naval Academy. Highlights the concept of Integrity Development Seminars. (JRH)

Describes the educational programs at the Argonne National Laboratory that contribute to the development of a technically trained and diverse national workforce. Discusses precollege and college/university programs. (JRH)