Traditional practical work for higher education in STEM subjects is under pressure from rising student numbers and a desired increase in active learning. Investing in more buildings and staff is financially challenging, while stretching existing resources affects outcomes, health, and participation. A more pragmatic approach is to embrace a less…

This article describes the use of project-based instruction in activities and labs intended to develop higher-order thinking skills with high school students and pre-service teachers through the use of soap making.

Introduces a laboratory activity designed for an undergraduate developmental biology course. Uses Play-Doh (plastic modeling clay) to build a multicellular embryo in order to provide a 3-D demonstration of cleavage. Includes notes for the instructor and student directions. (YDS)

Examines motivational methods among undergraduate chemistry students and identifies differences between methods of persuading students to prepare for laboratories. Methods include quizzes, scheduled presentations, unscheduled presentations, and a control method. (YDS)

Presents a classroom guide for a simple theoretical approach to the study of certain fluids. Discusses background information, followed by experimental procedures for the preparation of two popular viscoelastic materials ("Slime" and "Silly Putty") that exhibit unusual flow properties. Also lists student discussion questions…

Compares the revised Blue Bottle formulation to the classical Blue Bottle. Indicates that the revised formulation gives a somewhat bluer solution, but initially slower reduction when compared to the classical formulation. (Author/KHR)

Describes laboratory and lecture activities in an introductory cell physiology course that encourage students to start thinking of themselves as scientists. (DKM)

Describes the adaptation of thermite (aluminum with metal oxides) reactions from whole-class demonstrations to student-run micro-reactions. Lists detailed directions and possible variations of the experiment. (WRM)

Describes an activity in which teams of students locate laboratory safety equipment in a scavenger hunt contest. (WRM)

Presents an inexpensive activity to stimulate student interest in biotechnology that was developed in partnership with a biotechnology company. Focuses on the use of DNA by a commercial laboratory; describing the analysis procedure; important uses of DNA technology in modern society; and ethical, social, and legal issues related to biotechnology.…

Explains the benefits of using plastinated specimens on students' conceptual understanding. Argues for dropping the dissection component from introductory biology courses due to threatened animal populations and the high cost of providing some of the specimens. Describes how to use plastinated specimens in an investigative laboratory approach.…

Investigates whether replacing a single traditional laboratory activity with a widely-used, non-microcomputer-based laboratory, research-based activity could produce improved conceptual understanding of a topic in electricity. Shows that a single instructional experience utilizing the research-based tutorial materials is superior to a traditional…

Presents an activity on building a structure with Lego blocks and points out the importance of laboratory records. Includes instructor information and a student worksheet. (YDS)

The present research describes an efficient procedure to obtain high levels of trypsinogen and chymotrypsinogen by using a simple, rapid, and easily reproducible method. The extraction process and the time-course of activation of zymogens can be carried out in a single laboratory period, without sophisticated equipment. The main objective was to…

This document contains an annotated bibliography aimed at the teaching of the physical sciences at the tertiary level to those who wish to become more informed about teaching related research evidence and undertake science education research. The bibliography offers an overview of teaching and learning in the physical sciences and key references…