The purpose of this Resource Letter is to provide an overview of research on the learning and teaching of physics. The references have been selected to meet the needs of two groups of physicists engaged in physics education. The first is the growing number whose field of scholarly inquiry is (or might become) physics education research. The second is the much larger community of physics instructors whose primary interest is in using the results from research as a guide for improving instruction.

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RL-PER1: Resource Letter on Physics Education Research.

Student‐directed, open‐ended scientific investigations and invention projects may serve to deepen and broaden students’ scientific and technological literacy, and, in so doing, enable them to succeed in democracies greatly affected by processes and products of science and technology. Science fairs, events at which student‐led projects are evaluated and celebrated, could contribute to such positive personal and social outcomes. Qualitative data drawn from a national science fair over succeeding years indicate (after analyses of largely qualitative data, using constant comparative methods) that, apart from positive outcomes regarding science literacy, there may be some significant issues about the fair that warrant critical review. It is apparent from these studies that there are issues of access, image, and recruitment associated with the fair. Qualification for participation in the fair appears to favour students from advantaged, resource‐rich backgrounds. Although these students do benefit in a number of...

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A National Science Fair: Exhibiting support for the knowledge economy

This paper reports the synthesis of various complex esters, describing their physical, chemical, and tribological properties. Specifically, an attempt is made to study the effects of changing the central polyol backbone, of varying chain length of diacids, and of different endcapping alcohols on various properties.

Synthesis, evaluation and applications of complex esters as lubricants: A basic study

In this paper we propose a new perspective on the evolution and history of the idea of mathematical proof. Proofs will be studied at three levels: syntactical, semantical and pragmatical. Computer-assisted proofs will be give a special attention. Finally, in a highly speculative part, we will anticipate the evolution of proofs under the assumption that the quantum computer will materialize. We will argue that there is little `intrinsic' difference between traditional and `unconventional' types of proofs.

Passages of Proof

Lessons from the past: An historical analysis of science education (biology) curriculum reforms, 1950 to 1975

A Master Teacher.

Science Fairs--In the Spirit of Science?.

BOOK AND FILM REVIEWS: A Book for All Seasons: Mathematical Thought from Ancient to Modern Times

Prepared at the request of the AAPT Committee on Resource Letters. This is one of a series of Resource Letters on different topics, intended to guide college physicists to some of the literature and other teaching aids that may help them improve course contents in specified fields of physics. No Resource Letter is meant to be exhaustive and complete; in time there may be more than one letter on some of the main subjects of interest. Comments and suggestions concerning the content and arrangement of letters as well as suggestions for future topics will be welcomed. Please send such communications to Professor Arthur Quinton, Chairman, Resource Letter Committee, Department of Physics, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts 01002.

Lester G. Paldy

Papers

A Master Teacher.

Science Fairs--In the Spirit of Science?.

BOOK AND FILM REVIEWS: A Book for All Seasons: Mathematical Thought from Ancient to Modern Times

Resource Letter PCP-1: Pre-college Physics Curriculum Materials

EDITORIAL: A 30 Million Dollar Misunderstanding