This article presents an interview with H. Craig Heller, a professor of Biological Sciences (in Humanities and Sciences) at Stanford University. In this interview, Heller talks about an interesting course he has taught at Stanford called "Exercise Physiology" and what he likes about it. What is unique about this course is that in laboratory, the…

Some evolutionary cognitive and developmental psychologists propose that the human mind consists of domain-specific modules. These are characterized as self-contained "mini-computers" that process information of a certain kind. In their book, "Original Intelligence," the Premacks set out to provide a synthesis of evidence from various fields in…

This article is an attempt to critique some of the limitations of dominant school reform discourses in education, drawing upon the work of Michel Foucault, Michael Apple, Maxine Greene, and Dennis Carlson, in addition to writers in the emerging field of what might be called "eco-progressivism." The intersections between ecology and education can…

Contains speeches presented at the 1982 American Humanist Association Annual Conference. The author describes E.O. Wilson's contributions to the development of sociobiology. E.O. Wilson discusses the relationship of sociobiology to the biological and social sciences and to humanism. (AM)

Discusses women who have made an impact in the agricultural sciences. Profiles Elizabeth Pickney, indigo; Jane Colden, botany; Harriet Strong, irrigation and flood control; Anna Comstock, nature studies; Alice Evans, bacteriology; Edith Patch, entomology; and Beatrix Potter, botany. (JOW)

American science teachers in elementary and middle school face a dilemma as they prepare students for high school physics and advanced placement classes. The dilemma lies in ensuring that these students are equipped with the high-level science content they need to thrive in such classes. Aside from life sciences and chemistry sciences, how are our…

Following a brief consideration of the nature of "stress" as implied in the articles in this special section, the possible role of biological measurements in the study of behavioral development is examined. (PCB)

Discussed are two changes which have come about which enables us to view nature study in a new light--a change in teaching approaches (from content to process) and a change in the status and content of biology (greater awareness of our biological heritage). (Author/KC)

Discusses the tendency for biology courses to neglect plant biology and instead focus on zoology. Examines the need for increased teacher training and public education in plant biology. (LZ)

When the term "problem" is defined as a task requiring analysis and reasoning toward a goal, it is seen that the performance of the problem solver is narrowly delimited by the domain, form, and complexity of the problem and the characteristics of the solver. Tenets of a unified theory of problem solving are discussed, concerning what the…

Nursing education and theory lean toward behavioral sciences, but practice focuses on biomedical problems. Bioscience should be reintroduced to nursing theory through reflective practice. This may also rectify the symbol-object dichotomy in natural sciences, which inhabits the relationship of theory and practice. (SK)

Traces the evolution of the nature of relationships and interactions between industry and academia in the life sciences. Discusses intellectual property and patents, publications, conflicts of interest, and cultural differences between academia and industry. (JRH)

Ordering principles, hierarchy, taxonomy, emergence, and decomposable systems are discussed. Examples of hierarchies are included. (CW)

In light of recent specific liberalizations in drug laws in some countries, I have investigated the potential of entheogens (i.e., psychoactive plants used as spiritual sacraments) as tools to facilitate existential intelligence. "Plant teachers" from the Americas such as ayahuasca, psilocybin mushrooms, and peyote, and the Indo-Aryan…

Over the past decade, much has been learned about the ocean's secrets and especially about the creatures of the deep sea. The deepest parts of the oceans are currently the focus of many new discoveries in both the physical and biological sciences. Middle school students find the deep sea fascinating and especially seem to enjoy its mysterious and…