Presents questions and answers to the 1985 British Physics Olympiad (BPhO) Competition. Comments about the competition (the second year of British participation) and the winners who went to Yugoslavia (and placed second behind the USSR) are included. (JN)

Using a microcomputer to test high school mathematics students for areas of weakness can save teachers' time, eliminate paperwork, and make testing enjoyable for the students. Results are immediately accessible and in several forms. (Author/TG)

Applications of physics concepts related to the activities of dinosaurs are presented. Problems of mass, speed and motion, and sound are discussed. Solutions to the problems are shown. (CW)

Outlines various misconceptions about problem-solving (PS) and several strategies to improve intellectual skills and strategies. Also describes the Covington Productive Thinking Program (designed to help develop PS skills) and several lesson problem sets from this series of 15 books. (JN)

Discusses geometric construction problems. Presents four ways to construct a regular octagon using different conditions. Provides drawings showing the constructions. (YP)

Discussed is the benefit of the inclusion of historical material in a student's text. Several geometry problems are used as examples. A suggested list of problem sources is provided in the appendix. (YP)

Discusses problem solving in mathematics instruction and examines the role of students, teachers, and computers in the problem solving process. Seven sample problems that require high school mathematics and some knowledge of a programing language are offered for use in exploring the problem solving process. (LRW)

The International Mathematics Tournament of the Towns is a mathematics competition for junior and senior high school students all over the world. The tournament began in 1980 in the former Soviet Union. Participants write contest papers locally, with emphasis on solving within a very generous time allowance a small number of interesting problems.…

Argues that there is a sense of surprise and wonder that can result from looking back at problem solutions and there is a potential for then creating unexpected, even memorable, alternative solutions. Example problems with routine solutions and alternative approaches uncovered while "looking back" at the solution are given. (PK)

Presents 15 energy-related physics problems, including a brief indication of the essential features for solving each problem. Problems reflect various energy-related situations and involve different areas of physics. (SK)

Describes three teaching activities for secondary school mathematics classroom: designing a house; guessing the slope function in a calculus course; and solving the six problems of bisymmetric matrices. (YP)

Differentiates between problems, exercises and algorithms. Discusses the role of algorithms in solving problems and exercises in chemistry. Suggests that very real differences exist between solving problems and exercises, and that problem solving steps can be and should be taught in chemistry education. (TW)