The scientist and mathematician of tomorrow will come from the high school students of today. It is important to appraise this source of the future scientific manpower from time to time, both to note the trends and to judge the effectiveness of the efforts being made to bolster the defense, security and future welfare of the Nation through the…

Discusses rationale for developing the Exploratorium at San Francisco's Museum of Science, Art, and Perception. Describes typical exhibits, hands-on nature of exhibits, and function of Explainers. Presents information about Exploratorium workshops (currently oriented toward upper elementary/junior high teachers), emphasizing the nature of science…

Provided are examples of science/society scenarios for biology, chemistry, and physics classes, as well as those of an interdisciplinary nature. These scenarios present some social or ethical problems related to the discipline and pose questions for student discussions. (Includes description of a project involved in developing/piloting such…

Presents a critical review of laboratory adaptations for visually impaired students in general science, biology, chemistry, and physics over the past 30 years. Learning modes used by these students (since these are considered when making adaptations) and ways students benefit working independently in a science laboratory are discussed. (JN)

Investigated whether a self-paced, individualized instruction course in chemistry and physics would result in: (1) greater level of achievement of academically underprepared students (N=80); (2) more satisfaction with instruction; and (3) more positive attitudes when compared with conventional instruction. Results indicate individualized treatment…

Describes an activity that integrates biology and physics concepts by experimenting with the seed dispersal of common milkweed or similar wind-dispersed seeds. Student teams collect seeds and measure several parameters, review principles of trajectory motion, perform experiments, and graph data. Students examine the ideas of…

K-12 students and teachers can use the Internet for planning science fair activities--for project ideas, resources, and interactive Web sites. Lists 26 science Web sites specializing in question answering, activities, experiments, optics, math, dissection, inventions, physics, space, genetics, cockroaches and worms, and Twinkies (sponge cakes).…

Discusses cooperative problem solving among Open University physics and math students and describes three studies that investigated how to design effective computer-based support for collaborative learning in distance education. The value of peer interaction for learning and problem solving is discussed, and students' attitudes to group work are…

Describes the development and evaluation of an interactive videodisc designed for Open University students in a physics course that explores the physical properties of water. The user interface is discussed; software is described; videodisc production is explained; and results of an evaluation of student attitudes from questionnaire responses is…

Presents five computer programs: (1) Accurate Numerical Solutions of the One-Dimensional Schrodinger Equation; (2) NMR Simulation and Interactive Drill/Interpretation; (3) A Simple Computer Program for the Calculation of 13C-NMR Chemical Shifts; (4) Constants of 1:1 Complexes from NMR or Spectrophotometric Measurements; and (5) Saturation…

Twenty-two activities are presented. Topics include: acid rain, microcomputers, fish farming, school-industry research projects, enzymes, equilibrium, assessment, science equipment, logic, Archimedes principle, electronics, optics, and statistics. (CW)

Describes two simple methods of error analysis: (1) combining errors in the measured quantities; and (2) calculating the error or uncertainty in the slope of a straight-line graph. Discusses significance of the error in the comparison of experimental results with some known value. (MDH)

Review of models traditionally used by different disciplines to describe thinking processes led to development of a general model and testing in six pure and applied matched disciplines (physics, engineering, psychology, education, English literature, composition). Professors applied the models to their courses in different ways and used various…

Methods for and results of implementation in the United States of the Second International Science Study's (SISS) advanced-science subsample are discussed. Analyses of student, teacher, and school effects on achievement in advanced biology, chemistry, and physics results are included. American students scored among the lowest four SISS…

Reports on the use of an interactive interface in school-based research to explore the learning of kinematics through body movement. Responses from, as well as the successes of, middle and secondary school students are indicated as significant for learning behaviors both in a school setting and at interactive science exhibits. (22 references)…