Failure is frequently the end point of laboratory exercises in physiological psychology that involve stereotaxic surgery by inexperienced students. Lab instructors should caution students to pursue the potential location of misplaced brain lesions using a variety of simple behavioral tests and the Thompson stereotaxic atlas. (Author/RM)

Presents three simple water activities, for grades 4-6, to teach about molecular attraction as seen in surface tension and cohesion. (Author/SJL)

Outlines eight science experiments that require no materials except household trash. (SJL)

Describes an alternative technique for determining the molar volume of hydrogen from the metal-acid reaction in which the metal sample is encased in a specially prepared cage and a pipette filler is used to fill an inverted burette with water. Eliminates some difficulties encountered with the conventional technique. (JRH)

Details a simple quantitative experiment to measure the percent of oxygen in air. (DKM)

Discusses the impact of various factors on the "charring reaction" of a carbohydrate with concentrated sulfuric acid including the type of sugar, the degree of fineness of the sugar crystals, and the amount of water added. (JRH)

Describes a DNA profile technique that was performed by a group of high school juniors and seniors. (JRH)

Highlights glucosinolates-a family of secondary metabolites from plants of high culinary and nutritional value. Describes experiments that demonstrate the enzymatic degradation of glucosinolates. Teaches students about the distribution, variation, chemistry, and function of a family of natural products important in plant protection, food spicing,…

Describes an apparatus for crystal growth that was designed to study growth kinetics of small crystals from solutions and to obtain crystals of various substances. Describes the use of the apparatus in laboratory practical experiments in the field of crystal growth physics within the course "Solid State Physics". (JRH)

Presents a laboratory experiment demonstrating the binding of calcium/calmodulin to calmodulin kinase II, which is important in the metabolic and physiological activities of the cell. Uses SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). (YDS)

Presents activities that involve the separation and identification of dyes from mouthwashes and the determination of their alcohol content. Provides a review of various analytical techniques and shows students that more than one instrument or technique may be required to analyze a product. (JRH)

Describes the design and construction of a safe student quantitative conductivity apparatus. Discusses experimental results. (JRH)

Describes an apparatus that is stable and accurate enough for quantitative conductivity experiments but maintains the simplicity of construction and use as well as low cost. Discusses principles and implementation and the performance of the assembled apparatus. (JRH)

Presents an experiment that challenges the claim that sprouting radish seedlings release chemicals into the environment that inhibit germination of lettuce seeds. Reports that although no simple allelopathic demonstration was observed, the experiment provides fertile ground for further experimentation in inquiry-based laboratory experiences. (JRH)

Describes an experiment to measure the acceleration of a bungee jumper. Uses energy considerations to explain this anomalous acceleration and presents experimental results using several different types of ropes and a chain. (JRH)