Oscillating chemical reactions are truly spectacular phenomena, and demonstrations are always appreciated by the class. However, explaining such reactions to high school or first-year university students is problematic, because it may seem that no acceptable explanation is possible unless the students have profound knowledge of both physical…

The purpose of this study was to investigate the possible responses to anomalous data obtained from experiments that are repeatable by carrying out additional or alternative experiments in the laboratory. Based on an analysis of responses from scientists to anomalous data taken from identification experiments on the Vinland Map, it was assumed…

In this article, the authors explore the question, "Does the Moon spin?", and show how the question is investigated. They emphasise the importance of the process by which people work out what they know, by "learning from the inside out." They stress that those involved in science education have to challenge current conceptions and ideas, making…

This paper describes our flight aboard NASA's C9 "Weightless Wonder," an aircraft that creates multiple periods of microgravity by conducting a series of parabolic maneuvers over the Gulf of Mexico. Because passengers often develop motion sickness during these parabolic maneuvers, the C9 is more affectionately known as the "Vomit Comet." To…

We propose an apparatus for teaching experimental thermodynamics in undergraduate introductory courses, using thermoelectric modules and a real-time data acquisition system. The device may be made at low cost, still providing an easy approach to the investigation of liquid-solid and liquid-vapour phase transitions and of metastable states…

Students enrolled in a large-lecture, non-majors biology course employing a diversified instructional approach featuring both instructor-centered and student-centered techniques evaluated the effectiveness of each approach in fostering course goals. Students perceived both approaches to be effective to some extent. Students indicated that the…

A tentative classification of internal departments of psycholinguistics is suggested and a list of applied fields is presented. Applied psycholinguistics is not seen here to have a right to scientific independence. (SCC)

The preservation of variation in plural societies as a step toward increasing evolutionary potential through a model of incorporative change is proposed as a procedural ethic with the special virtue of placing moral decision making in the hands of those who will be undergoing change. (JC)

In this note, we introduce a simple homemade toy called the brush-creeper, which can glide forward with no propellers, limbs, wheels, and seemingly no movement of any kind that can push forward against the ground. The toy arouses pupils' interest and their incentive to ask "Why?" in lessons related to friction.

The conceptual steps that first led Galileo toward his principle are reconstructed showing that his thoughts on the subject of motions that are neither natural nor forced were of fundamental importance. (MP)

The author argues that the scientific method, as it is commonly understood, is a myth. (BD)

Recognition of the logic of Darwin's explanation has significance for understanding evolution and for appreciation of the extent to which Darwin's concept of evolutionary mechanism accords with modern evolutionary thought. Darwin's explanation exemplifies the concept of a scientific law and can help learners to understand the nature of scientific…

The argument presented here, against the principle of uniformitarianism as a means of transforming an inductive argument into a deductive one, is based on the fact that this principle is itself established by inductive reasoning. (MDR)

This article reviews the discovery of the first of the metallocenes and some of the developments which have taken place in the 25 years following. Applications to topics such as the solution of the polyphenylchromium problem and Alkene polymerisation, are discussed. Ferrocene is studied in detail. (MA)