Presents an activity that encourages students to think as scientists and explores microgravity. Employs a drop tower built with simple materials. (DDR)

Presents a variety of activities that support the development of an understanding of Newton's laws of motion. Activities use toy cars, mobile roads, and a seat-of-nails. Includes a scoring rubric. (DDR)

Describes a sensitive, simple, and inexpensive microrespirator that may be used readily by students. Discusses materials and methods for construction and classroom applications. (LZ)

Describes the design of undergraduate chemical laboratory fume hoods. Proves that folding the sides and top permit the hood and its duct hose to be stored in a standard 18-inch-wide laboratory cabinet. (WRM)

Presents answers to a survey (n=257) on the state of science education for 11- to 16-year olds in the United Kingdom. Survey topics include class size, per pupil expenditure, extent of laboratory technician support, textbook provision, condition of laboratory facilities, reprographics costs, and technology use. (WRM)

Describes a series of simple and nontraditional experiments that enable students to discover the properties of infrared radiation by studying the propagation, reflection, diffusion, and refraction of infrared. The experiments rely on two modules, an infrared transmitter and an infrared receiver. (SAH)

Introduces an activity for making a wind vane for elementary grade students. Lists required materials and explains the process. (YDS)

Describes the experimental and theoretical details for constructing and calibrating an inexpensive, homemade liquid-lens refractometer. Measures refractive indices that are within the experimental errors discussed and close to the literature values. (JRH)

Describes an apparatus that can be used to illustrate the relationships that are necessary between the earth, the moon, and the sun, and the orbital tilts of these bodies to produce eclipses. (JRH)

Popular accounts of scientific discoveries diverge from scholarly accounts, stripping off hedges and promoting short-term social consequences. This case study illustrates how the "horse-race" framing of popular accounts devalues the collective sharing, challenging, and extending of scientific work. In her best-selling "Longitude," Dava Sobel…

Digital cameras are a piece of technology routinely used by students. To demonstrate the camera's use as a scientific instrument, the author developed an exercise to challenge students' scientific creativity and provide an experience in the scientific research process. Students designed and carried out experiments to determine the distance from…

This paper is predicated on the realization that a chemical hood is only one element of laboratory safety which encompasses a variety of other elements starting with the architectural design and layout of laboratories; through the installation, operation and maintenance of integrated electrical and mechanical systems; to the safety-mindedness of…