Attempts to assess the impact of the NSF science curriculum projects have been generally unsatisfactory. Much of the NSF impact on science education will probably continue to defy quantification. Whether or not the new curricula achieve their goal of increasing scientific literacy among the public can only be evaluated over the lifetimes of the…

A unit of study suitable for secondary school chemistry classes. (BB)

Three questions guided an evaluation of sixth and eighth grade science enrichment activities: (1) Does a free choice interactive program affect cognitive abilities? (2) Do students in a free choice program make predictable selections of activities based on their age, sex, or ability level? and (3) Are specific student choices associated with…

Napier College offers a degree program that is science-based, but that includes courses in industrial studies and the social sciences within industrial studies. The aim and structure of the program, an outline of the curriculum, and the entering qualifications and employment prospects of the students are discussed. (JMD)

Describes the content of some instructional materials for elementary school students called The Sea Library to "develop a working ocean vocabulary and a sensory awareness of the ocean and its life." Also gives brief annotations for three teacher/student curriculum aid books. (GA)

Traces physics curriculum innovation in Southeast Asia since the 1950s. The unique features of such innovation in Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand are highlighted. Forecasts for the future of physics education in part of the world are also discussed. (Author/HM)

Describes an introductory chemistry course presented at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, in which students meet four times a week in classes of 25 each with a teaching assistant to view lectures via videocassette. (SL)

Describes an electrical engineering program in which assignments have been computerized to individualize out-of-class work. (SL)

Identifies using factor analysis areas of high priority which secondary school science teachers felt in need of help to improve their science teaching. Also investigated the relationship between perceived needs and three selected teacher variables: (1) science discipline; (2) experience; and (3) sex. (HM)

Provides a number of articles reviewing the use of the TV program Star Trek as a motivation for educational programs, and describes the Star Trek Educational Programs (STEP) program. (SL)

Describes specific educational programs for using the Star Trek TV program from kindergarten through college. For each grade level lesson plans, ideas for incorporating Star Trek into future classes, and reports of specific programs utilizing Star Trek are provided. (SL)

After discussions of the purposes of evaluation, and integrated curricula, three curriculum analysis systems are described: the Curriculum Materials Analysis System, the Sussex Scheme for the Analysis of Curriculum Materials, and the Curriculum Materials Analysis System for Science. (BW)

An independent studies program (ISP) in the basic medical sciences developed at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry involves 16 students as a learning team working with 10 medical teachers as a teaching team. The program offers an alternative to the lecture-laboratory-conference traditional format. (Author/LBH)

An experiment in rapid scanning polargraphy using the Health Polargraph System is described. The experiment was designed to be used in an undergraduate course on instrument analysis. The theory, instruments, and results of the experiment are also discussed. (MR)

Describes a final year undergraduate course in which students use X-ray diffraction to identify clay minerals. (SL)