The ERIC Clearinghouse for Science, Mathematics, and Environmental Education (SMEAC) screens, abstracts, and indexes a variety of published and unpublished documents in science education. Suggestions for tapping the resources of the ERIC system are provided: computer searches, manual searches, and use of ERIC fact sheets and other materials.…

Discusses the missing water on Mars. Describes five experiments simulating conditions on Mars: (1) behavior of dry ice; (2) low-pressure vacuum; (3) freezing point depression; (4) water in hydrated minerals and clay; and (5) properties of carbon dioxide. (YP)

National Science Teachers Association has cited 50 science education programs as national exemplars in the 1982 Search for Excellence in Science Education. Programs are listed under these headings: elementary science, biology, physical science, science/technology/society, and inquiry. (Author/JN)

Provides background information for teachers on the nature and production of antibodies. Points out that the production of monoclonal antibodies blends the malignant with the beneficial to create a medical tool of exciting potential. (JN)

Describes the theory behind the workings of the Hubble Space Telescope, the spherical aberration in the primary mirror that caused a reduction in image quality, and the corrective device that compensated for the error. (JRH)

Plate tectonics is the current framework for understanding earth history and processes. Recent progress in this field is discussed, focusing on continental growth, mountain building, hot spots, and mineral depositions. (JN)

Summarizes the current state of genetics, highlighting major historical events in the development of the field and discussing topics related to introns ("silent" or noncoding base sequences in eucaryotic genes) and exons (the coding parts of DNA). (JN)

Discusses (1) types of fires; (2) how to extinguish them; (3) how to use a hand-held fire extinguisher; and (4) what to do in case of fires in schools. (JN)

Offers suggestions and outlines ten easy steps for assuring a safer science classroom environment. Includes such recommendations as: scheduling a safety inspection; displaying safety posters; enforcing a laboratory dress code; establishing a safety reference library; and updating safety report forms and procedures. (ML)

Lists causes of freshwater supply depletion and successful reclamation projects including Imperial Dam in California, desalination in Arizona, and dual water supply in Florida. A national water policy is advocated. (DH)

Discusses four basic forces/interactions in nature (strong force, weak force, electromagnetic force and gravity), associated with elementary particles. Focuses on "gauge bosons" (for example, photons), thought to account for strong, weak, and electromagnetic forces. (Author/JN)

Outlines principles of evolutionary theory, including such recent changes as punctuated equilibria. Indicates that the incompleteness of Darwin's theory has been replaced with a conceptual framework and empirical information. Controversial issues remain, but the basic ideas still stand strong. (DH)

Discusses the work of evolutionary biologists in determining how sexual reproduction arose. Topics explored include the nature of sex, bacterial sex, meiotic sex, and asexual reproduction. A diagram (which can be used as a duplicating master) illustrating types of bacterial sex is included. (DH)

Discusses highlights in the development of genetic engineering, examining techniques with recombinant DNA, legal and ethical issues, GenBank (a national database of nucleic acid sequences), and other topics. (JN)

In the early 1900s, researchers at the Harvard College Observatory conducted an astonishing amount of astronomical research. A handful of women were integral to this research. Describes the professional lives and scientific findings of five of these women scientists at Harvard to inspire students. Classroom activities are included. (PVD)