Introduces questions and activities involving soap bubbles which provide students with experiences in prediction and logic. Examines commonly held false conceptions related to the shapes that bubbles take and provides correct explanations for the phenomenon. (ML)

Presents a collection of problems focusing on: (1) squares in arithmetic and number theory; (2) squares in geometry; (3) topics blending arithmetic and geometric aspects of squares; and (4) squares and Logo. A sample student worksheet (with answers) is included. (JN)

Discusses the development of visual thinking in students. Also presents a strategy that incorporates visualization exercises within the framework of traditional mathematics. The technique appears successful for students studying geometry, fractions, and problem solving. Visualization abilities increase understanding and therefore give students…

A seven-step program is described for allowing students to try their hand at solving problems of the future. Goals of the program are to encourage students to think more creatively, increase their research and communication skills, and develop problem solving skills. (TE)

The development in legal education of subjects and courses touching on alternative dispute resolution is traced, and the intellectual challenges generating those changes in the last few decades are outlined. Legal educators' responses to the movement and some related pedagogical issues facing institutions are discussed. (MSE)

Presents 10 basic steps to use as guidelines in setting up a corporate volunteer program: develop a philosophy, survey the community and employees, isolate a need and outline program functions, recruit volunteers, motivate employees, place volunteers carefully, monitor and evaluate program and volunteers, review goals and results, and consider…

There is a need for effective consumer health education in the schools that focuses on transmission of information, development of decision-making skills, and offers opportunities for practical application. An approach to facilitate the development of a self-care practicum experience in consumer health that makes use of the resources of the school…

Discusses conceptual models of thought that have recently emerged to confront the conventional approaches to analysis and solution to complex environmental problems. In addition to a critical attack on the tradition of specialization and reductionism, several models are summarized that originated from ecology, cybernetics, and system theory. (BC)

Reviews research which indicates that students performed better on problems when extraneous information was absent than when extraneous information was present. However, recommends that teachers embed word problems with realistic contexts, that is, contexts that contain extraneous bits of information to help students transfer their problem-solving…

Discusses the "Every Pupil Response" (EPR) strategy and its use in teaching basic facts, problem-solving, place value, and fractions. Basically, the technique involves children responding simultaneously to a question by holding up a card, using parts of their bodies, or stick figures. Advantages of EPR are noted. (JN)

Reviews several sources of published materials which contain learning objectives for general problem solving as well as problem solving in mathematics, science, and computer science. Lists of objectives are included where appropriate. (JN)

Describes a separate engineering administrative unit established to meet the needs of lower-division students. Need for the unit, courses that make up the basic program of instruction, advising, academic assistance, and advantages and disadvantages to the engineering college are discussed along with concerns and problems that have arisen. (BC)

Outlines various misconceptions about problem-solving (PS) and several strategies to improve intellectual skills and strategies. Also describes the Covington Productive Thinking Program (designed to help develop PS skills) and several lesson problem sets from this series of 15 books. (JN)

How fiction is used in a college-level political science seminar to teach about democratic decision making and U.S. politics is described. The fiction used is clustered around the following topics: community-level decisions, limits to consensus, group values and politics, acquiring elected offices and trying to keep them, and public bureaucracies.…

A program called OM (originally titled Olympics of the Mind), aimed at encouraging creativity in gifted and talented students via the industrial arts curriculum, is examined. Creative problem solving is discussed and examples of problems and format are included. Program effectiveness and public relations are described in detail. (CT)