Presents tips for using experiments in the classroom: start slowly, be organized, prepare follow-up discussions, be flexible, use them where appropriate. Addresses how to encourage participation, where to insert in a course, what to do if it fails, and how computers can be used. (SK)

Explains that some metal springs have an initial tension that must be overcome before using the F=kx relationship (Hooke's Law) for experimental calculations in the physics laboratory. (WRM)

Explains how to determine the polarity of static electric charges by using an electrician's tool called the test pencil. (WRM)

Uses Galileo's 'jumping-hill' experiment as an historical element to improve science teaching in the classroom. Illustrates that the experiment can stimulate an animated discussion in the classroom, even if precise historic circumstances are not mentioned. The historical dimensions bring some color into the lesson, which increases attention. (SAH)

Introduces a science experiment in which students investigate the wind-leaf relationship by using a leaf blower. Assesses damage differences between leaf species under wind stress. (YDS)

Presents a quantitative laboratory experiment to aid students in understanding how to account for a loss of species biodiversity due to habitat fragmentation. (ASK)

Presents a lab exercise that introduces students to the concepts of community structure, succession, and adaptation by having them make detailed observations from two or more stone walls differing in some historical, environmental, or physical variable. (ASK)

Presents a method to measure the mass of a definite amount of a gas that occupies a known volume at a given pressure in order to determine experimentally the root mean square speed of molecules of a gas. (JRH)

Describes a simple manual apparatus designed to serve as an effective demonstration of the differences between isothermal and adiabatic processes for the general or elementary physics student. Enables students to verify Boyle's law for slow processes and identify the departure from this law for rapid processes and can also be used to give a clear…

Presents activities and investigations that provide a trail of physics-related topics for students to investigate at a bowling alley. (JRH)

Describes a directed research project that examines the territorial and aggressive behavior of crickets. Presents behavioral ecology laboratory experiments in which students test the hypothesis that crickets with established territories are more likely to win confrontations that intruding crickets. (Contains 11 references.) (ASK)

Focuses on the curriculum movement. Discusses the educational conditions under which new courses would be developed. Explains the differences between the new science courses and traditional courses. First published in 1962. (YDS)

Explains the advantages and disadvantages of verification experiments in classrooms from the secondary school science teacher's point of view and discusses the reasons for difficulties and resistance in replacing verification experiments with inquiry experiments. (Contains 19 references.) (YDS)

Compares various detector technology for measuring the direction and magnitude of magnetic fields. (CCM)

Describes an experiment that involves the determination of the enthalpy change for a single reaction of the decomposition of aqueous hydrogen peroxide. (CCM)