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Describes the design of a Common Molecules collection that provides interactive tools for 3-D visualization of molecules. The organizational design provides not only structural information, but also historical and/or key information on the properties of the molecules in the collection. Describes student use of the collection and the role of students in the development of the collection. (Author/SOE)

Provides lesson plans for library media activities for grades 3-4 reading/language arts, grades 3-5 art/social studies, grades 4-5 physical education/social studies, grades 4-6 science, grades 4-8 reading/language arts, and grades 6-7 social studies. Lists print and nonprint resources and discusses library media skills and subject area objectives, instructional roles, activities, procedures, evaluation, and follow-up. (PEN)

Describes an activity in which students apply the scientific method as they explore each step of crystal growing. Students select variables, record daily observations, and participate in discussions about the differences in crystal formation. Crystal recipe and procedures are provided. (DDR)

Describes 8 math/science integrated activities in which students will be able to assemble periodic, reflectional symmetry, 5- and 10-fold rotational, and Penrose patterns. (MKR)

Discusses the development of fractal theory and suggests fractal aggregates as an attractive alternative for introducing fractal concepts. Describes methods for producing metallic fractals and a computer simulation for drawing fractals. (MVL)

Presents two multiple-lesson activities that integrate science and mathematics. Lessons involve hands-on activities for grades 4-5 to develop the notion of average around building a racer; and accurately estimating and measuring crystal growth in grades 8-12. (MDH)

Penrose tile patterns are created using regular pentagon-based rhombi. Provides instructions for assembling Penrose patterns, plus activities for secondary school students and preservice elementary teachers. Compares the two-dimensional process of placing pattern blocks to form Penrose patterns to the symmetries of crystals formed in nature. (Contains 13 references.) (MDH)

Liquid crystal displays are currently utilized to convey information via graphic displays. Presents experiments and explanations that employ the concept of liquid crystals to learn concepts related to the various states of matter, electric and magnetic forces, refraction of light, and optics. Discusses applications of liquid crystal technology. (MDH)

Snow is a widely available earth-science teaching medium which can be used to explore scientific concepts in the field, either directly or by analogy. Snow can be considered a mineral, sediment, sedimentary rock, or metamorphic rock. Natural processes such as crystal growth, melting, sedimentation, and metamorphism can be studied in practical time frames and principles extracted to other rocks. (Author/PR)

Describes techniques and equipment which allows school microscopes to perform crossed-polarized light microscopy, reflected light microscopy, and photomicrography. Provides information on using chemicals from a high school stockroom to view crystals, viewing integrated circuits, and capturing images on film. Lists possible independent student research projects. (PR)

Presented are interdisciplinary activities that help students to identify minerals and to begin to understand the properties that make each one unique. The concept of individuality is emphasized. Included is a section on minerals and an explanation of their physical characteristics. (KR)

Described is a set of FORTRAN programs, suitable for teaching and research purposes, that simulate contact and regional metamorphism. Equations, examples, program uses, and availability are discussed. (CW)

Presented is an interpretation of the inward and outward growth and formation of plume textured geodes available from southern Brazil. Field occurrence, morphology of vesicles, growth history, closure of the agate shell, microscopic features, coherent reflection of light from convoluted surfaces, and accessory minerals of the inner cavity are discussed. (CW)

Outlined is a method for collecting and cutting oriented samples for microstructural analysis including handling the samples in the laboratory, cutting and orienting chips parallel to the motion plane, and cutting and orienting chips normal to Le and foliation. (CW)

Recommends the use of origami to construct models of unit cells and crystalline structures. Provides templates and suggestions for use with students. (DDR)

Describes how to grow crystals of para-dichlorobenzene beginning with household mothballs. The crystals form through sublimation (solid to gas) and deposition (gas to solid). Also discusses demonstrations of evaporation and condensation and odor perception, which can support a study of the kinetic theory and phases of matter. (WRM)

Describes a method for identifying and examining single ice crystals by photographing a thin sheet of ice placed between two inexpensive polarizing filters. Suggests various natural and prepared sources for ice that promote students' insight into crystal structures, and yield colorful optical displays. Includes directions, precautions, and sample photographs of ice crystals from tap water and boiled water. (JJK)

Discusses small-scale integrated (SSI), medium-scale integrated (MSI), large-scale integrated (LSI), very large-scale integrated (VLSI), and ultra large-scale integrated (ULSI) chips. The development and properties of these chips, uses of gallium arsenide, Josephson devices (two superconducting strips sandwiching a thin insulator), and future prospects are among the topics considered. (JN)

Describes a self-taught optical mineralogy course which uses eleven 40-60 minute color videocassettes. Laboratory exercises, instructional strategies, and development of graphical manipulation and display exercises are considered. Content of each tape is listed. (BC)

Discussion of crystalline solids in undergraduate curricula often includes the use of radius ratio rules as a method for predicting which type of crystal structure is likely to be adopted by a given ionic compound. Examines this topic, establishing more definitive guidelines for the use and reliability of the rules. (JN)

Reviews changing concepts of the origins, properties, and classification of minerals. Emphasis is placed on developments of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, during which time the interwoven advances of chemistry, physics, crystallography, and high-temperature, high-pressure studies transformed mineralogy from a qualitative to a quantitative science. (JN)

Discusses the development of the concept of atomicity and some of the many which can be used to establish its validity. Chemical evidence, evidence from crystals, Faraday's law of electrolysis, and Avogadro's number are among the areas which show how the concept originally developed from a purely philosophical idea. (JN)

Reviews interesting and useful electrical, magnetic, and optical properties of the organic solid state. Offers speculation as to areas of fruitful research. Discusses organic superconductors, conducting organic polymers, organic metals, and traces recent history of creation of organic metals. (JM)

Describes and provides suggestions for organizing a gemology course for both geology and non-geology undergraduate majors. Includes a sample outline for the course and identifies equipment needed and specimens. Lists recommended supplementary course materials. (TW)

Describes laboratory exercises which demonstrate a new simplified technique for deforming thin samples of crystalline materials on the stage of a petrographic microscope. Discusses how this process allows students to see the development of microstructures resulting from cracking, slipping, thinning, and recrystallization. References and sources of chemicals are listed. (TW)

Describes an open-ended computer simulation project that can be used to illustrate the growth of solid crystals in different forms at any level from high school physics to graduate physics. Discusses a simple computer program in BASIC language on an IBM personal computer. Gives examples of simulations. (CW)

Describes the characteristics of rare earth elements. Details the physical chemistry of rare earths. Reviews the history of rare earth chemistry and mineralogy. Discusses the mineralogy and crystallography of the formation of rare earth laden minerals found in the earth's crust. Characterizes the geologic history of rare earth elements. (CW)

Describes the trend toward the use of electronic instrumentation to monitor and measure various parameters in chemical reactions. Stresses that a knowledge of the operational relationships involved in such instruments is essential for students beginning in science. Discusses electrostatic charges, semiconductor crystals, electronic conductors, contacts, junctions, and energy barriers. (TW)

Discusses some of the physical processes involved in the freezing of water. Traces the work of a variety of researchers who have discovered numerous variables involved in the complexities of ice. (TW)

Introduces a 3-dimensional mechanical lattice with adjustable telescoping mechanisms. Discusses the crystalline state, the 14 Bravais lattices, operational principles of the mechanical lattice, construction methods, and demonstrations in classroom. Provides lattice diagrams, schemes of the lattice, and various pictures of the lattice. (YP)

Describes a graduate course designed to teach the noncrystallographer how to read a structure paper critically. The course combines formal didactic instruction with student seminar presentations of specific papers from the crystallographic literature. Includes a course outline. (CW)

Describes a one-semester course designed to teach first year graduate students how to extract, interpret, evaluate, and use the information provided by an X-ray crystallographic crystal structure determination. Presents a course outline and discusses the treatment of crystal composition, crystallographic parameters, molecular geometry and conformation, molecular flexibility, structure and biological action, and student seminars. (CW)

Provides a framework of the disciplines of materials science and engineering as they have developed. Discusses the philosophy, content, and approach to teaching these courses. Indicates the range of crystallographic topics contained in the materials science and engineering curriculum at the Massachussetts Institute of Technology. (CW)

Describes a crystallography experiment using both diffraction-angle and diffraction-intensity information to determine the lattice constant and a lattice independent molecular parameter, while still employing standard X-ray powder diffraction techniques. Details the method, experimental details, and analysis for this activity. (CW)

Describes two introductory exercises designed to teach the fundamental ideas and methods of crystallography, and to convey some important features of inorganic and organic crystal structures to students in an advanced laboratory course. Exercises include "The Crystal Structure of NiO" and "The Crystal Structure of Beta-Fumaric Acid." (CW)

Emphasizes the role that crystallography plays and has played in building up the body of chemical fact. Shows how the teaching of much of this material is illuminated by reference to crystal structures and crystallochemical relationships in all areas of chemistry. Discusses close packing, silicate structures, and salt hydrates. (CW)

Addresses the requirements of high school students and noncrystallographers in lectures on crystals, diffraction, and structure analysis. Discusses basic understanding and a sequence that addresses these requirements. Suggests visual and descriptive teaching methods used in this effort. (CW)

Described is a mineral identification program which uses a shell system for creating expert systems of a classification nature. Discusses identification of minerals in hand specimens, thin sections, and polished sections of rocks. (Author/CW)

Provides background information on rocks and minerals, including the unique characteristics of each. Teaching activities on rock-hunting and identification, mineral configurations, mystery minerals, and growing crystals are provided. Reproducible worksheets are included for two of the activities. (TW)