Children should learn early that science is about doing, about experimentation, and not about recalling facts. This article suggests science curriculum ideas that emphasize process and discovery. A sample lesson plan employing the scientific method is given as well as a resource list that contains suggested sources for experiments. (IAH)

Reports a method of preparation for tris(ethylenediamine)cobalt(III) and tris(2,2'-bipyridine)cobalt(III) that will shorten the preparation time by approximately 3 hours. Notes the time for synthesis and isolation of compound one was 1 hour (yield 38 percent) while compound two took 50 minutes (yield 71%). (MVL)

Describes a lab investigation designed to introduce students to soil compaction and help them to learn to design and adapt procedures that scientists use when they plan and conduct controlled investigations. Provided are objectives, a list of materials, procedures, and a sample student handout. (CW)

Describes activities with organisms from freshwater ponds and ditches. Several experiments involve predation, some involve habitat choices, and one addressees the role of sunlight in supporting plant-eating animals. (PR)

Describes the use of the black-box technique to explore electrical circuit design and circuit elements. (JRH)

Describes a computer-based prelaboratory lecture to replace traditional lecture. Discusses how the CUPLE method was developed, the course structure, and a typical course day. (MVL)

Presents an experiment that makes manifest the energy lost to friction of an iron ball moving along an inclined iron rail, which allows students to compute the rolling friction coefficient. Uses a method based on measurement of deformation produced in a piece of Plasticine by an inelastic collision with the ball and combines mechanical concepts…

Describes experiments to culture cells in a laboratory that provide students with hands-on experience in manipulating cells and a chance to observe cell growth characteristics first hand. Exposes students to sterile technique, cell culture, cell growth concepts, and eukaryotic cell structure. (JRH)

Describes a community-college curriculum that incorporates Socratic Dialogue Inducing (SDI) laboratories into a new calculus-based preengineering physics sequence. SDI allows for group discussion labs that emphasize the concepts being taught in the lectures. (ZWH)

Students who are involved in hands-on science activities are enabled to learn the processes of science, and thus become scientifically literate. (DG)

An interactive computer/videodisc learning approach to the conventional laboratory approach for learning biology concepts and science process skills were compared. The two approaches appear equivalent when evaluated by traditional learning outcomes, but the interactive videodisc strategy was significantly more time efficient than a traditional…

Demonstrations in which glyoxal may be substituted for formaldehyde, a known carcinogen, are presented. An acid-base clock reaction and a copper mirror on the inside of a test tube are described. Directions for the demonstrations and safety precautions are included. (KR)

Explains that trial and error learning is an important way for children and adults to learn. Open-ended activities have great opportunities for error and eventual feedback for error reduction. (PR)

Examines the relative importance of middle school students' explicit knowledge and tacit knowledge in carrying out open-ended laboratory investigations. Results indicate the students (n=207) provided with explicit knowledge through instruction performed significantly better in overall achievement in such investigations than those using only tacit…

Describes the history of Richard Blakemore's discovery of magnetotaxic organisms. Discusses possible reasons why the magnetic response in bacteria developed. Proposes research experiments integrating biology and physics in which students investigate problems using cultures of magnetotaxic organisms. (MDH)