Suggests stressing the humanistic dimensions of science as a way to bridge the gap between sciences and the humanities. Provides a rationale for focusing on the humanistic side of science and briefly describes a freshman seminar at Macalester College (St. Paul, Minn.) conducted by science, social science, and humanities faculty. (JN)

Many postsecondary technical education programs are facing obsolescence and need more than another course or piece of equipment to be effective. Educational institutions must restructure their programs, redesign their laboratories, and retrain their faculty. The business and industrial community is the direct beneficiary of a strong vocational…

Reviews "Earthquakes and Volcanoes" (grades 3-6), "Metric Football" (a game), and "Happy Metrics I and II" (grades 4-6). Includes format, nature of activities, source, price, and reviewer's comments. (JN)

Several new objectives for science education are discussed as a means of categorizing research findings. They include: definition, accommodation, oversimplification, exemplification, association, and representation. The objectives will require new styles of verbal interaction between science teachers and their students. (Author/JN)

Relationships between students' affective and cognitive outcomes and their perceptions of classroom psychosocial environment, as measured by the Individualized Classroom Environment Questionnaire and the Classroom Environment Scale, were investigated for a sample of 1,083 junior high school students in 116 classrooms. Sizable environment-outcome…

Describes a chemistry course designed to meet needs of students who score well on Advanced Placement Chemistry examinations but who might experience difficulty if placed directly into a second-term course. The one-semester course includes substantially all work in Chemistry 1 and 2 (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute) and features a flexible,…

Discusses a formal course designed to acquaint students with major sources of chemical information and with procedures for their efficient use. In addition, the place that such a course has in the chemistry curriculum is considered. (Author/JN)

A loosely structured high school chemistry course with semester deadlines was modified into a self-paced course with unit deadlines (nine units/semester). Course structure, laboratory work, classroom management, testing/grading, teacher role, and student attitude toward the course are discussed. A sample unit (solubility equilibrium) is included.…

Philosophical issues and problems related to two contrasting views on the relationship between the constantly changing world of scientific theory and the real physical world (realism and instrumentalism) are discussed. Both accounts have serious limitations when compared to the actual practice and history of science. (JN)

Recommendations regarding literacy and the responsibilities of science educators are reviewed. The opportunity for pioneering, base-line research studies on the use of microcomputers in the classroom is viewed to exist. Significant contributions science education can make to computer literacy are noted. (MP)

Traditionally, the terms "current,""voltage," and "resistance" are introduced in a linear sequence according to structure of the discipline and based on measurement operations. A new approach is discussed, the terms being introduced simultaneously in a qualitative way, using the system aspect of the electric circuit as an integrative base.…

Describes a proposal for a new physics program for geology majors at the University of Rome based on a problem-oriented approach and extending the range of physics concepts covered by more traditional courses. Emphasis is put on applying physical concepts to geological problems. (Author/SK)

Suggests introducing the periodic table theme for a junior high school chemistry course. Describes strategy to implement this approach with associated student activities. (DS)

Describes the use of personalized instruction in an introductory biology course for nonmajors at the University of Wisconsin-Superior. (CS)

Addresses pedagogical problems of science in ethics and ethics in science with reference to beginning courses in chemistry and philosophical ethics, citing experiences in attempting to combine the two fields. (Author)