Discussed is the Cholodny-Went hypothesis which explains geo- and phototropic curvature in shoots in terms of a perception phase at the apex with a response at some remote site. Hormonal messages, lateral transmission of a stimulus, auxin concentration gradients, and what should be taught concerning this hypothesis are discussed. (DS)

This report details recent advances in fermentation biotechnology as presented by speakers at the 27th International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) Congress. Discussion centered around the use of bacteria, yeasts, and fungi as future sources of essential materials as food, fuel, and medicine. (BT)

Tested Richard Duschl's triadic model of the growth of scientific knowledge against research practices of 10 accomplished life scientists. Reports that the scientists were willing to change their aims, methods, or theories and were both realists and relativists depending on the scientific discourse about the phenomena in question. Discusses…

Examines patterns of participation of women and underrepresented minorities over the past 10 years in research and related activities at the National Science Foundation's Directorate of Biological Sciences. Discusses relative funding success of women and minorities, women and minorities in the pipeline, and current status of women and minorities.…

The ability of students to plagiarise coursework assessments has been a topic of much debate in recent years. The consequences of plagiarism for students may be devastating, since their failure to learn and use appropriate study skills will affect both their university experience and their subsequent career. This project set out to investigate…

There is a scarcity of research evaluating the effect of the classroom exposure of students to historical and/or female role models in the sciences. This paper describes a unit involving an historical female role model that was incorporated into a college-level science course. The goals of the unit were to provide an historical context for…

Determined effects of various methods and formats on subjects' (N=253) responses to a Piagetian reasoning problem requiring control of variables. Results indicate that format but not method of task administration influences subjects' performance and that the influence is similar for various combinations of methods and format. (Author/JN)

The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of five interactive exhibits in the New Orleans Aquarium of the Americas. The specific research questions were: Which interactive displays in the "Living in Water" exhibits are most memorable to families?; What aspects of these displays seem to increase learning in families?; and What…

Investigates differences across UK universities in 1993 life-sciences students' degree performance using individual-level data from the universities' Statistical Record. Analyzes differences across universities by specifying and estimating a subject-specific production function. Even after including a wide range of controls for the quality of…

Discusses how handedness at one level may give rise to handedness at another. Presents examples from plants and animals, molecules, atoms, to elementary particles. Examines the chiral symmetry in life and when it starts. (YP)

A historically rich teaching intervention was developed for biological evolution with the intent of promoting a conceptual change from students' initial understanding to a more Darwinian understanding. Results from evaluation of the intervention indicate promise in the use of historical materials in conjunction with a conceptual change strategy.…

Examines the knowledge that secondary school students have concerning some basic aspects related to the location of inheritance information before they are taught about genetics. Discusses the effects of traditional instruction in Spain on students' learning. (Author/CCM)

What should an undergraduate student in a specific discipline gain in the course of his/her studies? All too often, the answer to this question is not formally defined, and answers differ, sometimes largely, even between members of the same academic faculty. In our study we focused on the life sciences faculty and explored both undergraduate…

Black college students (N=55) enrolled in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (AGLS) at the University of Maryland in the spring semester of 1987 participated in individual interviews with their college's advisors. The interviews were diagnostic and prescriptive in nature, designed to help students identify problems getting in the way of…

This report, the second of a three-part study of Soviet space programs, examines their manned space programs and reviews their quest for a permanently manned presence in space. Also included is information concerning the physiological and psychological findings related to the extended duration of Soviet manned flights and an executive summary.…