Discusses the philosophy and operation of a self-instructional laboratory at MIT which utilizes visual materials reinforced by audio tapes and is designed to give the student a taste of how to collect, display, and interpret data. Indicates that the approach results in the flexibility needed to serve self-paced courses. (CC)

Usually the textbook descriptions of analytical methods fall short of making comparisons among several methods employed for analysis. Emphasis should be placed on making decisions about using a particular method on the basis of its merits. Listed are experiments that could be used for instruction. (PS)

Describes a computer game used in an introductory experimental psychology class which simulates in a few months the activities of years of effort in a research laboratory. Ideas on developing new computer based simulation games are included. (Author/JJD)

Noting the lack of time in the 2-year program and the impatience of most student technicians, the author suggests that physics should be taught inductively. Laboratory experiments with understanding of the underlying physics principles are suggested as the appropriate center of activity. Examples are given of this emphasis on experimentation as…

Describes the effectiveness of cooperative learning on discipline problems, interdependence between students, and teacher-student interactions. Explains how to group students and introduces a laboratory activity on covalent and ionic bonds. (YDS)

Described is an experiment which uses an autotrophic bacterium to anaerobically oxidize hydrogen sulfide to sulfate in a batch-stirred tank reactor. Discusses background information, experimental procedure, and sample results of this activity. (CW)

Saccharomyces cerevisiae provides an excellent tool for students to enter into inquiry-based science. This very simple organism is used to demonstrate that the principles governing life apply to all organisms. Students learn to design experiments using trypan blue and heat, build upon their findings with new experiments, and refine and repeat…

This undergraduate laboratory experiment integrates multiple techniques ("in vitro" synthesis, enzyme assays, Western blotting) to determine the production and detection sensitivity of two common reporter proteins (beta-galactosidase and luciferase) within an "Escherichia coli" S30 transcription/translation extract. Comparison of the data suggests…