A nation-wide symposium on geology teaching was held in Spain, focusing on various aspects of geology curriculum and instruction at the secondary and college levels, including sessions on geology museums and the history/philosophy of geology. Indicates that a nationwide network of interested teachers was organized to update high school teachers.…

Suggests using National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) criteria documents as a source for special topics material in chemistry. Presents a list of selected NIOSH documents, ordering information, and reviews one document on formaldehyde in some detail. (SK)

Briefly describes a module on the origin of life formulated for inclusion in introductory biology, geology, and astronomy courses. The authors are preparing a concise monograph on the topic to complement the three-week module. (Author/SK)

Suggests that a course in cultural science be adopted throughout high schools, where the majority of citizens finished their education. Discusses rationale for such a cultural or multidisciplinary course, teacher training, current practices, and changing from specialized science to a cultural approach. (SK)

Develops a rationale for integrating oceanography and marine education in land-oriented curriculum at the secondary level. Examples of topics with a multidisciplinary approach are described in the areas of acoustics and music, aquaria, archeology, art, astronomy, literature, careers, ecology, gastronomy, geology, and topics on various aquatic…

Summarizes 10 findings of a national survey of the status of introductory astronomy courses for nonscience majors. Findings focus on instructors, course length, laboratory components, laboratory equipment and exercises, texts, enrollment, mathematics prerequisites, and instructors' needs to enhance their teaching capabilities. (SK)

Describes a physics classroom in Briarcliff High School, Briarcliff Manor, New Jersey. Over 50 percent of the student body studies at least a year of physics before graduating, but less than 15 percent take a computer course. The physics programs discussed illustrate five different computer applications. (MP)

The Learning Environmental Inventory is promoted as a tool that has been used extensively to ascertain differences in class environment and how student environment perceptions relate to achievement and attitude. It's felt that teachers can improve their classrooms through careful use of the instrument and application of knowledge gained. (MP)

The act of attributing human emotions to nonhuman animals (personification) may lead to misconceptions by young students who may not be able to distinguish fact from fiction. Three major types of personification (animism, anthropomorphism, and teleology) are briefly reviewed with related examples. (DS)

Presents position statements indicating the necessity of laboratory experiences for the teaching and learning of science in the elementary school. Three different perspectives are addressed: research, curriculum, and teaching. (DS)

Presented are some considerations relating to the problem of why human studies is still regarded as a new subject and why resistance to human studies as a new subject is so great. (PB)

Ways in which the concept of oxidation-reduction has been treated in the current popular textbooks of general college chemistry are discussed. (HM)

Presented is a justification for inorganic chemistry in general chemistry courses. (HM)

The concept of stereochemical nonequivalence (heterotopicity) of apparently identical ligands, or of apparently identical faces, is discussed. (HM)

Reported are results from two statewide surveys and additional interviews of teachers at all grade levels in elementary schools in New Hampshire. Data regarding time spent, methods, constraints, approaches, and services needed from colleges and universities indicate a shift away from science as a major part of the curriculum. (CS)