Explores associations between students' (n=1,592) perceptions of their chemistry laboratory classroom environment and their attitudes towards chemistry. Findings indicate significant associations between the nature of the chemistry laboratory classroom environment and the students' attitudinal outcome. "Integration" and "rule…

Presents the results of a study analyzing students' gestures and scientific discourse by supporting three assertions about the relationship between laboratory experiences, gestures, and scientific discourse. Discusses the implications for laboratory experiments which students should attempt to explain while still in the lab rather than afterwards…

Modifies an extended lab activity from a cookbook approach for determining the percent mass of water in copper sulfate pentahydrate crystals to one which incorporates students' prior knowledge, engenders active mental struggling with prior knowledge and new experiences, and encourages metacognition. (Contains 12 references.) (ASK)

Develops and modifies a series of 11 lab activities designed to strengthen and build science laboratory and inquiry skills for students in physical science classes. Includes a figure that summarizes the sequencing skills and concepts developed by these lab activities. (ASK)

Points out the importance of the ability to apply knowledge in a problem-solving manner to real-life situations for biology students rather than possessing an exhaustive accumulation of facts. Describes a teaching approach that employs three-dimensional animal models to teach the student how to use deductive reasoning and critical analysis to…

Explores how to create an optimal learning environment in all curriculum areas, particularly with old science labs. Discusses how educators are offering course material online and using technology to more efficiently deliver lectures and presentations and to create more computer-generated lab demonstrations. (GR)

Explores the after-effects on college laboratories of the anthrax mail scare; scientists say the anthrax scare justifies tougher rules on biological agents, but some fear that Congress may go too far. (EV)

Chemistry should be fun and exciting, but much preparation and skill are needed by the teacher and students in working with chemicals. Unfortunately, accidents do happen and things can blow up, but these incidents can help be prevented by knowing and following proper safety procedures. Knowing which chemicals are appropriate for the middle level…

A laboratory curriculum has been designed for an undergraduate biochemistry course that focuses on the investigation of the green fluorescent protein (GFP). The sequence of procedures extends from analysis of the DNA sequence through PCR amplification, recombinant plasmid DNA synthesis, bacterial transformation, expression, isolation, and…

Virtual ChemLab project is an instructional laboratory involved in providing a practical experience by connecting the theory and laboratory practicals, teaching laboratory techniques and teaching the cognitive processes. This lab provides the students with the freedom to explore, repeat the procedures again, focuses on the underlying principles of…

A molecule possessing other functional groups that could be hydrogenerated is examined, where a variety of metal catalysts are evaluated under similar reaction conditions. Optimizing organic reactions is both time and labor intensive, and the use of a combinatorial parallel synthesis reactor was great time saving device, as per summary.

A partnership is formed between the University of Pennsylvania and local elementary, middle and high schools in West Philadelphia, with the general goal of creating mutually beneficial science partnership between K-12 schools and colleges and universities. Access to expertise and resources not ordinarily available are given to West Philadelphia…

The various equipments, procedure and hazards in constructing the device for inflating a methane balloon using a standard methane outlet in a laboratory are described. This device is fast, safe, inexpensive, and easy to use as compared to a hydrogen gas cylinder for inflating balloons.

An experiment that consists of following the changes in temperature at different depths in a precooled liquid while the liquid slowly warms up to the temperature of the surrounding environment is presented. The experiment might be used in a course on temperature, on heat transmission, and in particular in the study of convection currents.

Two Diels-Alder reactions are described that are suitable for a MORE (microwave-induced organic reaction enhanced) experiment in the organic chemistry laboratory course. A second experiment in which the splitting patterns of the vinyl protons in the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra of two MORE adducts are used in conjunction with molecular…