Presents worksheet activities that enable students to explore the concept of electrostatic induction and learn the meaning of grounding. Students build two classic devices, the electrophorus and the leaf electroscope. (DDR)

Describes a simple circuit based on an inexpensive quad operational amplifier that permits a direct-reading temperature instrument to be constructed using silicon diodes. Encourages the use of this equipment in introductory thermal experiments. (DDR)

Describes a variation of typical introductory chemistry stoichiometry experiments in which the reaction is run in a modified 20-ounce plastic soda bottle. (WRM)

Reports on a technique for illustrating the dependence of the rate of reaction on the concentration of the reactants and for determining the order of reaction with respect to each reactant, the overall order of reaction, the reaction rate constant, and the half-life. (WRM)

Describes the operation of the Minolta SPAD-502 Leaf Chlorophyll meter. Presents five sample activities for using this technology in high school or college science classes. (WRM)

Children love observing seeds change as they germinate and grow into tall healthy plants, but how can teachers make investigating plants an exciting and immediate event? Microscopy might just be the answer. Although most students have seen flowers, not many have looked closely at their various structures or seen their colorful designs only…

Greater access to scientific instrumentation, courses, and supporting materials through the Internet and Integrated Laboratory Network (ILN) has the potential to profoundly change the way in which instrumental sciences are taught. Increased access to instrumentation will provide better opportunities for students to learn and practice instrumental…

Inhelder and Piaget (1958) studied schoolchildren's understanding of a simple pendulum as a means of investigating the development of the control of variables scheme and the "ceteris paribus" principle central to scientific experimentation.The time-consuming nature of the individual interview technique used by Inhelder has led to the development…

Laboratory classes are commonplace and essential in biology departments but can sometimes be cumbersome, unreliable, and a drain on time and resources. As university intakes increase, pressure on budgets and staff time can often lead to reduction in practical class provision. Frequently, the ability to use laboratory equipment, mix solutions, and…

The purpose of this study was to survey the quantity and quality of laboratory work conducted by Grade 11 and 12 biology students in British Columbia High Schools, to analyze student performance on laboratory based questions on Provincial examinations, and to examine the curriculum for recommended laboratory work. Examination and curriculum data…

Describes the use of teacher-made discovery kits for use in science activities. Suggestions are provided to help teachers scrounge surplus materials from stores, small manufacturers, doctors and other potential suppliers of free materials. (PEB)

Describes a number of pieces of equipment for physics. Included are a pendulum, Archimedes' Principle apparatus, solar photometer, and anharmonic motion. (RH)

This paper describes the building and use of an inexpensive, compact audio-oscillator for use in the language laboratory and classroom. Master tapes are coded with low frequency tones which are heard as beeps in fast forward or rewind and help the student find his place. (AM)