Presented are interdisciplinary activities that help students to identify minerals and to begin to understand the properties that make each one unique. The concept of individuality is emphasized. Included is a section on minerals and an explanation of their physical characteristics. (KR)

Contains six firsthand reports from a group of professionals who have attempted to combine research and practice by promoting reflection as a way for teachers to direct their own professional development. Discussions include information on the processes of reflection that were engaged in, and the impact of that reflection. (JS)

Discusses how experiential learning is a central issue in adult learning. Explores several aspects of experiential learning and how it can be used by adult students. Suggests further examination of the impact of experiential learning on academic performance and of strategies students can use to capitalize on it. (JS)

Some observations of general progress and of gender-related differences in achievement when using construction sets in the early years are presented. Included are the results of two studies which examined the use of Lego construction sets by children age six to eight. (CW)

Described are efforts of the Open University (United Kingdom) to retrain physics teachers using distance learning strategies. Discussed are the teacher shortage, the program design, styles of delivery, group activities, content, teacher types, and the National Curriculum. (CW)

Recounts the experiences of a social worker in a typical normalization project and then at L'Arche--a community of group homes for the mentally retarded, "assistants," and their families. Emphasizes friendship in an approach to rehabilitation services based on the premises of experiential education. (SV)

Describes the Electronic Information Exchange System (EIES) and several of its uses in the schools. Uses acid rain as an example of one topic that has been investigated and conferenced on the EIES System by schools in geographically dispersed locations. (CW)

Explains a summer research program which is a part of a required junior and senior independent study program. Provides information on selection of applicants, activities, outcomes, and a list of names and student projects. (RT)

The installation and uses of three water wells on the San Jose State University campus are discussed. Included in the discussion are funding, industry-university cooperation, and benefits to the instructional program. (CW)

Described are chemistry and physics courses at several colleges as applications of the New Liberal Arts program for nonscience majors. The major themes of the program and several examples of this approach are discussed. (CW)

Encourages educators to use participation projects to develop active, socially concerned citizens. Views school as a place where students learn to negotiate problems and issues of society. Provides examples of projects where students and teachers plan integrated units using social studies as the basis for teaching. (NL)

Presented are lessons which bridge the gap between concrete and abstract ideas by introducing students to the valuable idea of scale as it relates to space science. Included are information and activities on relative size, position, and orbital patterns of planets using mathematics to construct models. (RT)

Summarizes the capabilities of a computer program related to forest fertilization. Provides a description of input parameters, some sample exercises, software specifications, and availability information. Additional references are listed. (Author/RT)

Discusses the diversity of rain forest life, the adaptations of rain forest plants and animals, and ways these organisms interact. Includes activities on canopy critters with a copyable sheet, rain forest revue, design a plant, and jungle sleuths. (RT)

Describes two simple procedures allowing students to experiment with living membranes and to relate their results to fundamental membrane structure. Provides instructions for determining the effects of temperature and organic solvent stress on cellular membranes, and spectrophotometric analysis. (RT)