This article recounts the author's working experience of one method by which pupils' understanding of the epistemologies of science can be developed, specifically how scientists can develop hypothetical models and test them through simulations. She currently uses this approach for transition lessons with pupils in upper primary or lower secondary…

Global warming is a current environmental issue that has been linked to an increase in anthropogenic carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. To raise awareness of the problem, various simple experiments have been proposed to demonstrate the effect of carbon dioxide on the planet's temperature. This article describes a similar experiment, which…

Traffic on motorways can slow down for no apparent reason. Sudden changes in speed by one or two drivers can create a chain reaction that causes a traffic jam for the vehicles that are following. This kind of phantom traffic jam is called a "jamiton" and the article discusses some of the ways in which traffic engineers produce…

Summarizes the main categories of games/simulations and lists games/simulations as to major field (physics, with 23 listed; chemistry, 24; biology, 107), providing information as to address for ordering, category, appropriate age group, number of players, time needed in computer simulation, price. Also listed are books, journals and addresses…

Presents examples that illustrate how spreadsheets can be used to ask and answer all sorts of scientific questions given suitable automation of useful spreadsheet procedures. Examples include data exploration, data analysis, project presentation, simulations, and students writing their own models. (Author/JRH)

Two multi-disciplinary simulation games for secondary school students are described. The Power Station Game involves the decision-making process in regard to the type and site of a power station to be built. Economic as well as environmental factors are involved in deciding what to do about a polluting chemical factory in the Amsyn Problem. (CP)

Discusses the implementation of the "Science in Society" project into Oxfordshire schools. The place of the course in sixth form schools, teacher attitudes about the course, local school initiatives, ways of overcoming problems in teaching the course, and other topics are addressed. (JN)

Explains a process wherein students construct a flickerbook that can simulate both transverse and longitudinal wave motion and can be used to demonstrate the relationship between velocity and frequency for constant wavelength. (GS)

Describes the procedure and materials of a game designed for teaching alimentary systems. One set is used to teach a whole class. (GS)

Describes the objectives and operation of an educational game well-suited for junior high age students. Students compete in groups, making the game appropriate for use with an entire class. (CP)

Describes physics experiments and apparatus construction for studies in astronomy, electricity, wave measurement and speed, the behavior of steel, and intermolecular forces. Includes a detailed description of how to simulate apparent trajectories of the moon and sun. (CS)

Discusses the value of laboratory work, suggesting that it is not superior to other aids such as computer simulated experiments (CSE). Advantages of and problems related to use of CSE in the classroom, responses to criticisms of simulated laboratory work, and evaluation of CSE as a teaching aid are considered. (JN)

Presents a numerical simulation of a simple food chain together with a set of mathematical rules generalizing the model to a food web of any complexity. Discusses some of the model's interesting features and its use by students. (Author/JRH)

Explores several options and advantages of using microcomputers in science teaching. Describes programs for calculating pH, Maxwell-Boltzman distribution of velocities in a gas, atomic orbitals, and lattice energies. Also suggests use of microcomputers in the areas of simulations, scoring tests, and controlling stock. (DS)