The application of social network analysis (SNA) has recently grown prevalent in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education research. Research on classroom networks has led to greater understandings of student persistence in physics majors, changes in their career-related beliefs (e.g., physics interest), and their academic…

An introductory guide to deducing the mechanism of chemical reactions is presented. Following a typical workflow for probing reaction mechanism, the guide introduces a wide range of kinetic and mechanistic tools. In addition to serving as a broad introduction to mechanistic analysis for students and researchers, the guide has also been used by…

SoTL stands for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning. The acronym, said "sottle" or "sote-all," describes research that involves rigorous examination of teaching and learning by faculty who are actively involved in the educational process. The number of natural-science faculty engaged in SoTL is increasing, and their…

A method and an apparatus for safely observing sunspots is presented. The McIntosh system of sunspot-group classification is illustrated. Construction and enhancement of the apparatus are discussed. (CW)

Errors in the teaching of the concepts of Charles's Law are traced back through history to a major French physics text published in 1816. Relevant original sources are quoted and remedies are suggested. Five major criticisms are summarized. (Author/CW)

Describes various uses for balloons in chemistry instruction, such as their use as stirring devices, gas reservoirs, sources of carbon dioxide, and as atomic models. (CS)

Designed to serve as a resource for science teachers, kindergarten through college, this publication contains 10 chapters, each focused on a topic of interest to science teachers working in the 1980's. Chapter titles and their authors are: (1) Understanding Science as a Cultural Phenomenon - Mission for the 80's, Drew Christianson; (2) What…

Discusses how holography can be used as part of undergraduate physics laboratories. The authors propose a single beam technique of holography, which will reduce the recording scheme as well as relax the isolation requirements. (HM)

Described is the manufacture of a superconductor from a commercially available kit using equipment usually available in schools or easily obtainable. The construction is described in detail including equipment, materials, safety procedures, tolerances, and manufacture. (Author/CW)

Clarifies the issues of animal rights as they effect animal use in research and education through an examination of the current use of animals, a historical look at animal use, and a consideration of the philosophical underpinnings of the animal rights and pro-use viewpoints. (PR)

Science and technology fairs are designed to display project work completed by students from a wide range of ages and abilities. The key to organizing a successful fair is advanced planning. This guide which has been compiled with the help and advice of many fair organizers, is intended to provide a checklist of items for organizers of future…

Presented is a description of the preservice teacher education program for science teachers of grades 5-13 in the Federal Republic of Germany. Information reported is focused on the science content portion of the preservice program rather than on the education courses and field experiences. (PB)

Recommendations are given for obtaining high quality preparations of chromosomes with relatively little equipment using an improved Feulgen-squash technique. (Authors/SA)

Outlined is the development and use of oxidants for use in elementary organic chemistry classes. Discussed is the oxidation of alcohols to carbonyl compounds, and the oxidation of primary alcohols or aldehydes to carboxylic acids. (CW)

Describes the physics displays at the University of Canterbury (New Zealand), including the facility, static displays, and interactive displays. Discusses the basic philosophy, general principles, and evaluation of the displays. (YP)