Uses a commercially available meat tenderizer for the source of an enzyme that can degrade meat protein and asks students to test the effects of incubating human hair in water with or without this enzyme. Teaches scientific methodology and the importance of experimental controls. (Author/YDS)

Uses trenoids, which are toothpicks colored with ink markers to represent a single taxa of organisms to illustrate ecological concepts in a student-centered learning environment. (YDS)

Describes a laboratory experiment on resistance to teach about evolution and issues of misuse of antimicrobial compounds. Investigates Escherichia coli's response to treatment of triclosan, a biocide used in consumer products. (Contains 12 references.) (YDS)

Describes a science activity on the importance of meiosis for variability. Uses a coin flip to demonstrate the random arrangement of genetic materials and explains how this results in zygotes with a new DNA combination. (YDS)

Describes the necking of polymer sheets that occurs when they are stretched. Discusses the effect and the mechanisms of necking. Lists four references. (YP)

Although the vast majority of articles cited by Jeanne Chall and Marie Carbo fit the patched-up program evaluation category, the outcomes of nine randomized field experiments are the best evidence available in the research literature. Systematic phonics is an example of the weak instructional treatments presently plaguing education. Includes 16…

Presents a demonstration of sublimation, in which a solid is directly converted into the gaseous state, using an overhead projector. (MKR)

Describes a method to examine preparations of rocks in thin sections between crossed polaroids using a converted biological microscope or a homemade polariscope. (JRH)

Presents experiments for isolating and detecting siderophores produced by bacteria or fungi. (MKR)

Describes and evaluates three different videoconferencing systems for supporting multiparty remote conversations. The systems differed by the number of participants visible at once, their spatial arrangement, and control over who was seen. These conversations were compared to same-room and audio-only conversations. Only the same-room condition…

This article describes a science learning experience in which intermediate grade students launched balloons with attached postcards to study wind currents. More than 200 (of over 900 balloons) were returned, and their analysis supported the students' hypothesis about the direction of wind currents. (DB)

Presents a simple experiment that enables students to get a quantitative measure of the relationship between the resistance of a wire and the temperature of the wire allowing the calculation of the temperature coefficient of resistance. (JRH)

Laser refractometry is a science-technology-based activity that requires students to manipulate a variety of equipment, tools, materials, and critical-thinking skills. Students use a laser to measure the percent of glucose in a solution by calibrating the system, taking measurements, and computing the concentration. (MKR)

Describes the working of the Adiabatic Gas Law Apparatus, a useful tool for measuring the pressure, temperature, and volume of a variety of gases undergoing compressions and expansions. Describes the adaptation of this apparatus to perform isothermal measurements and discusses the theory behind the adiabatic and isothermal processes. (JRH)

Outlines the use of the toy popularly known as Newton's Cradle or Newton's Balls in illustrating the laws of conservation of momentum and mechanical energy. Discusses in detail the joint effects of elasticity, friction, and ball alignment on the rate of damping of this apparatus. (JRH)