Though central to any pedagogical development of physics, the concept of mass is still not well understood. Properly defining mass has proven to be far more daunting than contemporary textbooks would have us believe. And yet today the origin of mass is one of the most aggressively pursued areas of research in all of physics. Much of the excitement…

Provides instructions for constructing a model of a working thermostat and suggests several student activities using the model. (DS)

Offers a series of hands-on activities for introducing students to concepts of energy transfer and conversion. Describes how simple devices as marbles, ramps, and sliders can be used to gauge the transfer of energy and assist in the development of investigative skills. (ML)

Announced is the availability of a set of lessons for middle school and secondary school teachers who want to teach about energy. Concrete experiences are emphasized in this instructional program. (SA)

Many educators feel that elementary school science programs should concentrate on phenomena and concepts that are literally tangible. This document serves as the teaching manual which accompanies the Capsela modular system of manipulative and motorized models. The experiments in the manual are intended to provide a structured approach to using the…

Describes an experiment simulating heat transfer and overall energy loss in upper layers of soil surfaces. (SL)

Describes several different philosophies of mind with each philosophy's explanation of the mind-body problem. Philosophies discussed include dualism, materialism, functionalism, radical behaviorism, logical behaviorism and central-state identity. (DS)

Provided are hands-on activities on light, simulated emission, light radiation, and common uses of lasers. Directions and materials are discussed. Included is a diagram of a laser model. (CW)

Provides instructions for constructing a "Heath Robinson compass" and describes activities/demonstrations focusing on energy waves, opposing forces, illusory motion with paper movies, and motion of vessels in air and in water. (JN)

Lists 25 energy activities and describes two experiments (materials needed and procedures used included) for secondary/middle school students. Like activities for younger children listed in part 1 (appearing in Vol. 65, No. 229), these activities are designed to provide concrete experiences for teaching various aspects of the energy concept. (JM)

Demonstrations, experiments, and classroom activities/materials for middle school science are presented. These include: additive color mixing demonstration; electricity activity and worksheet; atmospheric pressure "magic" demonstration; homemade microbalance; energy from soap bubbles; and a model used to demonstrate muscle pairs and how…

Uses a vortex device as a model to study low-pressure systems and other related investigations. (LS)

Describes four science experiments relating to energy developed for interdisciplinary general science courses. (SL)

Often elementary and junior high teachers search for effective, inexpensive, and easy-to-understand science activities. This document was designed with those teachers and their students in mind. It provides hands-on science activities that focus around three components: (1) themes--broad, unifying ideas that pervade science, math and technology;…

Described are a method of cultivating Euglena, a method for presenting and solving mole equations, and a design of a simple solar collector. (SL)