This article presents a qualitative study, descriptive-interpretive in profile, of the effectiveness in learning about the nature of science (NOS) of an activity relating to the historical controversy between Pasteur and Liebig on fermentation. The activity was implemented during a course for pre-service secondary science teachers (PSSTs)…

Described is an activity conducted to determine if Galileo could obtain the results he stated he obtained in one of his classical experiments to confirm his law of fall. (RH)

Summarizes the conceptual development of the notion of force historically and suggests appropriate analogies, limiting case analyses, thought experiments, and imagistic representations that can be used in high school physics classrooms. (DDR)

This instructional packet deals with inventions and presents activities that enable students to learn about past inventions and inventors and also create their own inventions in a variety of ways: centers, individual work, and group work. (JRH)

Each year the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) produces new educational products that are used by NASA educational staff at NASA-sponsored workshops and events. Part of the series, "The Great Minds of Microgravity", Galileo, Newton, and Einstein, are the subjects of this brief. The materials include a brief…

Explores three classic turning points in science and presents close-up views of the scientists involved and their discoveries. Discussions include William Herschel and light; Lavoisier, Priestley, Scheele and oxygen; and Faraday and electromagnetism. Presents suggestions for experiments to demonstrate these discoveries. (JRH)

For many science students and teachers, the history of science brings to mind musty portraits of long-ago chemists, physicists, and biologists, birth and death dates, and some brief mention of specific contributions. Frequently lost amid teaching pressures are the lessons that may be found in the history of science. These stories not only teach…

Presents an activity that highlights the life of Harriet Brooks, a lesser-known Canadian physicist. Objectives include stressing Harriet Brooks's contribution to science and developing a historical connection to other prominent figures, illustrating to students that attitudes about women in science were very constraining in Harriet Brooks's time,…

Discusses two types of historical projects conducted by O-level pupils at Clifton College: studies of famous chemists and projects on the development of industrial chemicals. Indicates that a project in the history of chemistry is characterized by its practical and philosophical approach to chemistry study. (CC)

Presents ways to incorporate discussion of the lives of famous scientists into the classroom. Suggests a monthly focus on a different scientist with students researching each subject and using the information in a poster or timeline project toward the end of the year. (DDR)

This book is intended to celebrate the global successes of women in a variety of scientific fields. These women provide life stories and career images that positively impact girls' expectations of themselves and their performance in math and science. This book features full biographies on 29 women scientists, mathematicians, and engineers spanning…

This paper describes a fictitious scene that could be used to support role-playing activities in the science classroom. The scripted scenes contain interviews with Gabriel Fahrenheit and Anders Celsius regarding the development of their temperature scales. Although the scenes are imagined, the scientific concepts are factual and could be used to…

Methods, based on historical techniques, are described which may be used to determine the relative density of irregularly shaped objects of various composition. (TS)

Describes the layout, working principle, and uses of an ultrasonic interferometer for demonstrating the impact of the motion of the medium upon wave propagation. Suggests some technical improvements of the interferometer. (YP)

This book highlights women's achievements in science and mathematics from the first century A.D. to the present. Included are paleontologists, geologists, astronomers, mathematicians, chemists, botanists, biologists, engineers, physicians entomologists, and atomic physicists. Their noteworthy accomplishments are translated to students through…