An extensive description of the Modeling Chemical and Biological Systems study organized in different practical projects is presented. The course has a highly favorable effect on students, who make perfect presentations, and it also encourages more students to join the course.

The number of students majoring in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) is declining due in part to a lack of student interest (Fairweather 2008; NRC 2012; PCAST 2010). One reason may be the difference between how science is done in school and how it is done in the field (Osborne, Simon, and Collins 2003). An interdisciplinary…

IDEAS FOR SCIENCE INVESTIGATIONS FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS ARE DESCRIBED. IN PART I THE STUDENT IS INTRODUCED TO THE IDEA OF THE PROJECT-TYPE INVESTIGATION AND IS GIVEN A GENERAL OVERVIEW OF THE MANUAL. A SECTION WHICH IS WRITTEN FOR THE TEACHER INCLUDES A DISCUSSION OF (1) EDUCATIONAL VALUES DERIVED FROM INDIVIDUAL INVESTIGATIONS, AND (2) THE…

THIS GUIDE FOR THE SCIENCE FAIR PARTICIPANTS BEGINS WITH A CHAPTER ON THE NATURE OF SCIENCE, AND THE SCIENCE FAIR, AND CONTINUES THROUGH THE FIVE CHAPTERS OF PART ONE, PLANNING AND EXECUTING YOUR PROJECT, TO EXPLAIN THE DETAILS INVOLVED IN SELECTING, DEVELOPING, AND EXHIBITING A PROJECT. PART II OF THE VOLUME CONSIDERS THE STRUCTURE OF SCIENCE…

Describes a senior seminar format designed around broad year-long subjects. This alleviates disconnectedness by building upon material learned weekly. One format highlight is that students choose topics from a list for reading, research, and background preparation to lead a discussion. They also submit research papers on their topic. The new…

Describes a chemistry classroom project of forming a company to acquire 10,000 pounds of zinc sulfate monohydrate from a company that wanted to dispose of it. The zinc was eventually sold to an agricultural company for use in fertilizer. (PR)

Describes the synthesis of a sweetening compound that requires seven laboratory periods of three-hours duration. (MLH)

Included are abstracts of 40 science projects for secondary level courses of biology, physical science, and chemistry. (SL)

Discusses some of the problems associated with the organization of a British chemistry course. Results that can be achieved in this Mode 3 O-Level chemistry course are also discussed. (HM)

Presents a project-based interdisciplinary unit involving chemistry, physics, English, and geometry in which students are charged with the task of building a boat that will carry one student across the school's pool and back. (JRH)

Reports on a study, Project REMODEL, that implemented and evaluated innovations in lecture, laboratory, and assessment for students in the introductory sequence for undergraduate chemistry. Results indicate that special sessions and conceptual exam questions can improve students' abilities to work successfully with both concepts and algorithms.…

A scanning tunneling microscope (STM) project designed as a module for the undergraduate physical chemistry laboratory is described. The effects of van der Waals interactions on the condensed-phase structure are examined by the analysis of the pattern of the monolayer structures.

Describes a chemistry project in which lichens are identified by the analysis of the phenolic substances that they biosynthesize. (MLH)

Suggests that the Friedel-Crafts reaction, used for synthesizing a wide range of aromatic compounds, is an ideal vehicle for extended senior high school project work in chemistry. Provides a theoretical discussion of the reaction, suggests a number of suitable investigations, and outlines the experimental details. (JR)