Recommends crossword puzzles as a useful method for teaching students parliamentary procedures. Outlines steps in creating puzzles using the computer program "Crossword Match." Includes two parliamentary puzzles and answers. (PD)

The author describes how her personal interest in puzzles led her to create Puzzle Parties at the College of Santa Fe in New Mexico. Now regular events, these puzzle parties attract several hundred adults and children from the community. (SJL)

A biography of Martin Gardner is given, elaborating on how he developed his "Mathematical Games" column. (PK)

A crossword puzzle for social dance using terminology of seven dances is presented. (JMF)

The generalization of the solitaire checker puzzle and the attractive patterns that emerge during the process of solving the puzzle, as well in analyzing the minimal solutions of various cases are discussed. Both linear and quadratic patterns are intrinsically linked to this game and the shift from one to the other involves only a slight change…

We describe a card trick in which the magician is able to identify correctly a card chosen randomly from an array of cards by a member of the audience. We then explore the mathematics behind the trick.

A collection of games and word-search puzzles to be used by the Home Economics teacher are presented. (BP)

The jigsaw puzzle approach applies a geological analogy in a structured scenario in which students identify fossils and determine the age of strata. The engaging strategy increases student confidence and interest in learning science. (SK)

Describes an activity for determination of genotype from phenotype using a logic puzzle. The puzzle provides an opportunity to consolidate understanding of the dominant and recessive alleles, genotype and its expression in phenotype. (Author/MM)

Students are introduced to indirect proof by a method of discovery. Initially, they are confronted with an intractable puzzle that they must either solve or expose as a hoax. Guided by timely clues, they are unwittingly led to discredit the puzzle by applying the strategy of indirect proof.

Hexaflexagons (or flexagons) have a magic that has enthralled some of the greatest minds for over half a century. Their name comes from "flexible hexagon", which is the form in which they were first discovered by their inventor, Arthur Stone, an English graduate student at Princeton in 1939. In this article, the author talks about using flexagons…

This article describes the connection between a novel puzzle and uses of algebra to generalize the fewest moves to solve it.

The process of diffusion is described as the movement of a substance from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration. In this article, the authors present a novel way to introduce students to diffusion through the use of an analytical puzzle. This exercise engages students in active learning through a thought provoking exercise…

This Solar System Puzzle Kit for grades 5-8, allows students to create an eight-cube paper puzzle of the solar system and may be duplicated for classroom use or used as a take home activity for children and parents. By assembling the puzzle, hand-coloring the bodies of the solar system, and viewing the puzzle's 12 sides, students can reinforce…