The author shows some causes of failure in the creation of mathematical concepts. One is the stiffening of concept cores, which prevents identification of atypical exemplars and solution of atypical problems and causes a bifurcation between the natural system of everyday concepts and the formal system of school concepts. (Author/MDH)

Discusses five writing exercises to improve teachers' and students' writing. Suggests using the exercises once a day. (RS)

Describes a study designed to determine whether experienced biology teachers would find the cooperative-learning approach beneficial in their teaching. (ZWH)

Uses descriptive text, diagrams, and specific assignments to discuss the different learning modalities of students. Equipped with this knowledge and the power of instructional diversity, the joy of learning and teaching can be regained by simply transforming materials currently used in the classroom into materials that best fit a student's…

Modifies a laboratory activity to ensure that consistencies exist between the laboratory objectives and the teacher's instructional goals (the constructivist learning theory). The changes are included in the article as well as a rationale for each change. (ZWH)

Presents a poem about a teapot and presents six investigations with teabags. (PR)

High-low sponges are short, science-related activities or questions that require students to analyze a situation or produce a new idea during extra time that otherwise would be wasted. (PR)

Outlines a module developed with the aim of teaching a group of secondary science students several learning strategies which could be transferred into classroom learning. Students demonstrate that knowledge about "elaboration" and the linking of new learning to previous knowledge enhances learning and understanding of scientific concepts.…

Describes the launching and goals of the Third International Math and Science Study. The study, the biggest ever, will include assessments of teaching methods and educational systems as well as comparisons of half a million students from 50 countries. (PR)

Reflects on the author's experiences teaching a course on great documents in American history to high school students, concentrating on teaching the Declaration of Independence and the "Federalist Papers." Countering the students' tendencies toward superficial reading and encouraging deep analysis are the teacher's primary goals. (SLD)

A survey of 158 members of the Association for Experiential Education examined the controversial topics of outdoor leadership certification and adventure program accreditation. Respondents preferred program accreditation over leader certification. The majority believed that accreditation should be strictly voluntary and conducted through an…

Describes the following examples of natural selection for use in science instruction: sickle-cell anemia and human beings, clogged crabs, the rounding of the human head, shell color in land snails, pollinator behavior and flower color, copper tolerance in a grass, lizards and quick change, and Darwin's finches. (PR)

Establishes a rationale for teaching population genetics to students and inservice biology teachers. Suggests strategies for introducing students to the Hardy-Weinberg principle. (MDH)

Measurement and psychometric quality of the Sternberg task (S. Sternberg, 1966, 1969), a memory search task, was investigated with 78 undergraduates. Individual performance was fairly homogeneous across responses, fairly unstable over time, and fairly stable across stimulus content. Implications for individual differences research are discussed.…

Argues that race theory must be understood and evaluated in light of the European-defined nature of American society. Because American history is a created reality, it must be examined from an external position to really assess the role of institutional racism in formulating the social structures of American life. (SLD)