Describes science activities which use simple chemical tests to distinguish between materials and to determine some of their properties. Explains the water, iodine, heat, acid, baking soda, acid/base indicator, glucose, and sugar tests. Includes activities to enhance chemical testing and a list of suggested powders for use. (RT)

Reviews video programs and film materials for the teaching of mechanics. Describes 13 videos of the Open University. Discusses other resources of visual materials. (YP)

Images as a multi-faceted topic were used to teach an introductory course in Technological Studies. Widely differing thought patterns between the liberal arts and technologists were observed and are described. The syllabus is found in an appendix. (Author/YP)

Evaluates 10 courseware packages covering topics for introductory physics. Discusses the price; sub-topics; program type; interaction; possible hardware; time; calculus required; graphics; and comments on each program. Recommends two packages in projectile and circular motion, and three packages in statics and rotational dynamics. (YP)

Describes three demonstrations: (1) "A 'Rocket' Cart" (using a fire extinguisher and a child's truck); (2) "Angular Momentum Conservation" (providing materials and calculations); and (3) "Cavendish Experiment" (including the building method and examples of calculations). (YP)

Discusses the calculation of free energy in reactions between silicon dioxide and carbon. Describes several computer programs for calculating the free energy minimization and their uses in chemistry classrooms. Lists 16 references. (YP)

Provides some significant figure rules used in chemistry including the general theoretical basis; logarithms and antilogarithms; exponentiation (with exactly known exponents); sines and cosines; and the extreme value rule. (YP)

Refutes 14 items from "Computer Test Bank for Heath Physical Science." Discusses the correct answers item by item. (YP)

Reports on a symposium on reforming general chemistry curriculum sponsored by American Chemical Society's Education Division. Presents several discussions including levels of the goals of general chemistry, newly recommended content, and the pros and cons of descriptive chemistry. (YP)

Presents findings from a systematic analysis of elementary-school science textbooks in terms of content domain, method of information presentation, types of questions, and considerateness. Found substantial differences between programs and suggests five further research questions. (YP)

Discusses the various needs of chemistry classes in community colleges. Describes a tutorial package using computers. Reports the students' verbal evaluations and a drop in the dropout rate. (YP)

Investigates the use of questions in medical texts. Six medical journals were studied; a large number of questions were found, particularly in editorials and letters. The paper discusses their uses in the organization of discourse and as part of the rhetorical devices used by the authors. (seven references) (Author/LR)

Two experiments examined how learning from different media--real pulley systems or simple line diagrams--affected mechanical learning and problem solving. The first showed that subjects' learning improved equally in both cases; all subjects showed an increase in quantitative understanding as they learned; and subjects manipulating real pulley…

Presents a chromosome map for 19 known chromosomes in human genetics. Describes the characteristics attributed to the genetic codes for each of the chromosomes and discusses the teaching applications of the chromosome map. (MDH)

Describes an easy and inexpensive method of preparing experimental growth media that high school students can use for plant cloning investigations. (PR)