Describes the nature and use of a "strategy", an organized approach that breaks down the overall mental task of problem-solving into stages, providing details of the McMaster Six-Step Strategy. Also provides instructions for working through a Whimby pair series of problems and the Schoenfeld management approach. (JN)

Solving problems in a visuospatial domain, such as astronomy, may require not only knowledge about the phenomena within the domain but an ability to instantiate knowledge spatially to generate solutions, as well. Spatial ability assessments and interviews of undergraduates show that problem-solving ability can be limited regardless of the…

Scientific literacy is far more than knowing a list of terms and definitions. Scientific literacy is the ability to do processes related to a specific scientific field and knowing, at minimum, basic problem solving. This paper discusses what students need to know in the different science and mathematics fields and describes the teacher's role in…

The tree house detectives go galactic with their latest project by traveling to Mars and also seeing how the Moon affects the Earth. They visit the largest radio telescope in the world and help look for intelligent life in the universe. The tree house detectives prepare for an out-of-this-world vacation as they explore the future of space travel.…

This study explored high school students' collaborative efforts in solving qualitative physics problems. It aimed to investigate whether and how confronting students with varying views help to improve their problem solving skills and develop better understanding of the underlying physics concepts. The varying views were provided to 18 grade 12…

Discusses uses of the process approach to teach problem solving techniques to education students enrolling in a noncalculus physics course. Indicates that the prospective teachers are given opportunities to do real problem solving with the hope that they can foster in secondary school youngsters a better inquiry approach to science. (CC)

Representations of problem-solving routes were made to understanding how British sixth-form and Canadian first year college students solve problems in chemistry. Processes used (operations performed during problems) and entities (such as information taken from problem statement) were analyzed in terms of graphic representations: links (processes)…

A homework problem that can be graded quickly, involve students in problem solving, and provide feedback on their problem-solving ability is described. A two-part homework problem is assigned: part one stated in the usual manner, and part two consisting of a description with segments left blank for students to fill in. (Author/JN)

A series of learning cycle laboratory experiments for general chemistry was developed. The exploration, invention, and application phases of one cycle related to calorimetric measurements are described. (Author/SK)

Presents experiments to introduce students to the phenomenon of biological rhythmicity and to reinforce the fact that there are differences in the physiology of human beings. (Author/MA)

By providing an example problem in solving sets of nonlinear algebraic equations, the advantages and disadvantages of two methods for its solution, the tearing approach v the Newton-Raphson approach, are elucidated. (CS)

Presents the mathematical background for solving eigenvalue problems, with illustrations of the applications in computer programing. The numerical matrix treatment is presented, with a demonstration of the simple HMO theory. (CS)

Considered are the main elements of computational chemistry problems and how these elements can be used to formulate the problems mathematically. Techniques that are useful in devising an appropriate solution are also considered. (Author/TG)