Previous studies have reported on the inadequacy of youth knowledge and practice of food safety principles. The formal high school science classroom environment presents an opportunity to stimulate interest and increase knowledge in food safety with potential benefits to students in improved science literacy, development of life skills, and…

Threshold concepts (TCs) are concepts that, when mastered, represent a transformed understanding of a discipline without which the learner cannot progress. We have undertaken a process involving more than 75 faculty members and 50 undergraduate students to identify a working list of TCs for biochemistry. The process of identifying TCs for…

Conservative Christian schools consistently earn higher standardized test scores than public schools while being criticized for using inferior curricular materials. This research investigates the effectiveness of Christian-published science textbooks in preparing students for the science reasoning subtest of the American College Testing. Data…

Commercial computer games contain "physics engine" components, responsible for providing realistic interactions among game objects. The question naturally arises of whether these engines can be used to develop educational materials for high school and university physics education. To answer this question, the author's group recently conducted a…

The overhead projector is an excellent tool for teachers at both the high school and college level. Teachers often use it to display class notes as they monitor students' actions and reactions to the concepts being presented and discussed, to display diagrams and figures too complex to draw on the chalkboard, and more recently to display computer…

Describes a computer program (for Apple II microcomputers) which simulates motion in a quadratic resisting medium. Descriptive equations, program inputs and outputs, and program evaluation are considered. Program listing and/or program on initialized disk may be obtained by contacting the author. (JN)

Describes construction of a model for observing a "green flash" (phenomenon witnessed under certain conditions just as the last bit of sun disappears below the horizon). Also describes an easily constructed, simple, three-dimensional vector arrow for instructional use. (JN)

Describes a simple three-dimensional model of Halley's Comet orbit (which is much more informative than a two-dimensional drawing) to illustrate spatial relationships and visualize how the comet moves relative to the earth. Instructions for model assembly are given along with a template which can be photocopied and glued to cardboard. (JN)

Describes use of automobile test reports in the mechanics portion of introductory physics. Topics covered using the reports include graphing data, graphical analysis, applications of kinematical equations, dynamics problems, and occasionally, such topics as conversion, rotational motion, noise, and significance of error. Suggests modifying…

Describes two kinematics/dynamics programs (Apple II) easily adaptable to other microcomputers. Kept simple, the programs allow teacher/student to control forces acting on a particle by introducing force laws in programs or by using game paddles/joystick. Discusses equations used and provides program listings. (JN)

A complete listing of a projectile motion program for the Apple II microcomputer is provided. A discussion of this computer simulation and a table with variables used in the program (as well as their meanings) can be found in SE 533 596. (JN)

Describes a computer program for Commodore PET (requiring 8K) which illustrates the statistical nature of entropy by providing a simple analogy. The analogy involves the distribution of objects free to move in a box divided into two compartments. A listing of program statements is also included. (JN)

Discusses the construction of various types of physics equipment from laboratory "bits and pieces" (parts of discarded/unusable equipment). Includes comments on constructing improvised equipment from similar bits and pieces in schools in Peru and the Caribbean. (JN)

Reviews software produced by Cross Educational Software to teach college-advanced high school students how to determine forces/torques acting on rigid bodies in static equilibrium. Designed for use with Apple II/II+ (Applesoft), 10 minutes to one hour are required for the five low to moderate interactive tutorial programs. (Author/JN)

Discusses four phases in the development of a simulation. These include a definition of the simulated universe (including parameters and boundary conditions), mathematical description of the mode, and programing and testing the simulation. Also discusses the development of a physics simulation, focusing on each of the four phases. (JN)