In our science for non-science majors course "21st Century Physics," we investigate modern "Hubble plots" (plots of velocity versus distance for deep space objects) in order to discuss the Big Bang, dark matter, and dark energy. There are two potential challenges that our students face when encountering these topics for the…

Explores strategies in the situation of a runner trying to evade a tackler on a football field. Enables the student to test intuitive strategies in a familiar situation using simple graphical and numerical methods or direct experimentation. (JRH)

Describes two spreadsheets for producing acid-base titration curves, one uses relatively simple cell formulae that can be written into the spreadsheet by inexperienced students and the second uses more complex formulae that are best written by the teacher. (JRH)

Presents the "Before Technology and After Technology" lab where students first complete a simple lab and graph the data by hand and then repeat the lab using graphing calculators. Enables students to see how technology can make data collecting, graphing, and analyzing more fun. (JRH)

Discusses how experiments can offer students different points of view on the mathematical concepts presented in class and bring these concepts to life. Presents an experiment that demonstrates the interaction between mathematics and fluid dynamics. (Author/ASK)

According to historical stories, the Saxons placed a bowl with a hole in its bottom in water and used the time it took the bowl to submerge to limit orations. Describes a science activity in which students find a relationship between the diameter of the hole and the time to submergence. (WRM)

Describes a hands-on lesson in magnetism designed to be used with upper elementary grade students. Emphasizes structured experiences which involve the student in measuring, data collecting, graphing, and extrapolating information. (TW)

Describes a titrator system, constructed from a computer-interfaced pH-meter, that was designed to increase student involvement in the process. Combines automatic data collection with real-time graphical display and interactive controls to focus attention on the process rather than on bits of data. Improves understanding of concepts and…

Describes a simple demonstration of the flow of sand through an orifice at the bottom of a sandbox. Advocates the experiment's use with dimensional analysis for students in an introductory physics course. (WRM)

Presents a cooperative activity between home and school in which parents and students examine the growth of a variety of bulbs. Bulbs are taken home to sprout and returned to school to monitor their growth. Students gather data, hone observation and graphing skills, and communicate with their parents on the project. (MDH)

Describes a freshman chemistry experiment designed to introduce scientific methodology, provide practice in measurement skills, and illustrate a fundamental chemical relationship (conservation of volume). Provides the experimental design, a materials and equipment list, sample calculations, and results. (JM)

Presents four Physics General Certificate of Secondary Education assessment practicals which can be photocopied for use in instruction. Includes notes for guidance of teachers in determining student skills in management and organization, designing and carrying out experiments to solve problems, draw conclusions, and select suitable apparatus for…

Uses air temperature profiles--a topic taught in beginning meteorology courses--to illustrate the ease of restructuring the teaching/learning environment as a problem-solving mode. Students access real-time information through Accu-Weather's interactive database. Students use the data to answer the question, "What happens to air temperatures…

This publication provides information and activities for teaching about vegetables and process skills including observing, classifying, collecting and interpreting data, inferring, measuring, and predicting. There are 12 lessons. Lessons 1 through 5 pertain to growing, rinsing, and observing sprouts. Lessons 6 and 8 through 11 deal with tasting…