Poinsettia ("Euphorbia pulcherrima") contains anthocyanins that dissolve in water and exhibit color changes due to changing pH. This property makes the poinsettia extract a useful acid-base indicator for pH demonstrations. When combined with common household materials, this experiment can be used as an alternative low-cost tool in…

The COVID-19 pandemic, which emerged in early 2020, forced educational institutions in Thailand to chiefly rely on online learning during the government mandated lockdown for almost two academic years. Although migration to the online format seems to suit lectures, it is inadequate for laboratory courses since students could not do the experiment…

Smartphones are currently proposed as potential portable laboratories to perform a wide variety of physical experiments for teaching purpose. However, the frequent lack of clarity about the ease of replication of the experiments and on their accuracy often limits their effective use. In this work we deeply compare several smartphone-based…

A rudimentary level of scientific literacy is necessary in the general public. At the undergraduate level, this literacy can be achieved through general education courses offered in areas of natural sciences. Over the past several years, practical courses have been developed to make the teaching of chemistry concepts in the laboratory more…

The COVID-19 pandemic posed significant challenges for practical teaching within the sciences. While many instructors adopted innovative alternatives to conventional practicals, many relied on digital approaches that did not give students hands-on experience. In this study we evaluate the use of 'at home' practical kits used in first year physics…

Classifying, naming, and identifying insects have been complicated topics among science teachers and students. This problem is due to the highly technical collection protocols, safekeeping procedures, the unavailability of appropriate learning resources, and the closure of school laboratories and facilities due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Using the…

Describes a pilot project for the home-study component of a first-year general chemistry course at Athabasca University that uses microscaled experiments. Presents four experiments and discusses home-study versus in-lab experience. (JRH)

Presents an example of a take-home discovery-based activity that supplements the lecture component of a general chemistry course. Involves the student in chemistry exploration outside the class. Extends the context of content and experimentation into a nontraditional laboratory environment. Reports that students find the challenges useful in…

Presents an inexpensive take-home laboratory activity designed to enhance students understanding of atmospheric pressure by allowing them to engage in a hands-on, discovery approach to physics. (ZWH)

Describes the method used at Macquarie University, Australia, for implementing the home experiment approach in first-year biology. The sequences of activities for experiments in plant growth are included; and assignment sheets are appended. (CS)

Describes a science laboratory experiment that can be done at home with the assistance of parents or older siblings. It is offered as an alternative to reading assignments or answering questions for homework. Parental assistance is encouraged. (SA)

Describes a take-home experiment in which students measure the diffusion of acid through acid-filled capillary tubes immersed into base solutions and vice versa. Students represent and analyze the effects of ambient temperature, molecular weight, and concentrations of the solutions on that movement. (MDH)

Suggests seven take-home experiments geared toward the topic of energy that can be utilized in large, general-education physics classes that do not include laboratory sessions. An appendix provides details for the experiment to measure the heat of fusion of water. (MDH)

Many educators feel that elementary school science programs should concentrate on phenomena and concepts that are literally tangible. This document serves as the teaching manual which accompanies the Capsela modular system of manipulative and motorized models. The experiments in the manual are intended to provide a structured approach to using the…

This book addresses some of the methods by which science can be made accessible to children, both in school and non-school settings. It contains information on effective science education for elementary school age children, and includes a catalog of books and other materials. Topics discussed in the book include: (1) planning; (2) approaches to…