The importance of high-tech careers has risen as the international competitiveness of US students on tests of science and math has declined. The problem is compounded by a persistent inequity in STEM participation and achievement in the US across gender and racial and ethnic groups. Bridgewater State University's Student Retention Enhancement…

In spring 2007, four Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) Science and Technology/Engineering (STE) operational tests were introduced at the high school level (grades 9 and 10): Biology, Chemistry, Introductory Physics, and Technology/Engineering. Over 100,000 Massachusetts public high school students in grades 9 and 10 participated…

Franklin and Marshall College has ranked 867 private undergraduate institutions according to the number of students who received their doctorates between 1920 and 1980. A study of institutions ranked in the top 101 in terms of the number of students who subsequently received a doctorate in chemistry is reported. (MLW)

Presents American Chemical Society statistics on bachelor's, master's, and doctoral graduates from approved schools from 1980-84. Comparisons are made for yearly growth, certified/noncertified graduates, and men/women for both chemistry and chemical engineering. Also lists numbers and types of chemistry/chemical engineering degrees awarded by each…

Describes: (1) a microcomputer demonstration of autocatalysis; (2) a safe alternative to ethanol and methanol; (3) a simple condenser for test-tube reactions; (4) a new procedure for studying the magnetic properties of transition metal compounds; (5) plasticization of the polymer PVC; and (6) some thoughts on polybasic acids and their salts. (JN)

Presents and analyzes data on sources of research and development (R&D) funds; R&D spending by government agencies; how industry apportions its R&D outlays; spending by individual chemical companies; manpower in industrial R&D; sources/uses of academic R&D funds; largest spenders on R&D; and demographic trends. (JN)

Statistics are provided from an annual survey of members of the American Chemical Society highlighting their economic status. Included are employment, salaries, industry comparisons, and academic comparisons. The lower status of women's salaries in chemistry is noted. (CW)

The "U.S. News and World Report" 1993 rankings of doctoral programs in biology (n=229), chemistry (n=178), and physics (n=151) and graduate programs in nursing (n=201) are presented, with some narrative analysis. Best-regarded institutions for doctoral education in six science disciplines are also listed. (MSE)

To facilitate the proper technical use of the test scores obtained from the administration of the tests, the curricular and psychometric characteristics of the tests are described in a series of technical manuals. This manual, the seventh in the series, contains a description of the characteristics of the North Carolina Test of Chemistry. The test…

Data are presented on labor market conditions for science and engineering graduates based on responses of 255 firms to mail and telephone surveys conducted in late fall of 1981. Highlights presented in table, chart, and text indicate: (1) definite and likely shortages were concentrated in the computer and engineering fields; (2) chemical,…

Contains information on research and development (R&D) trends in the United States. Provides an overview of the total R&D effort. Includes graphs and charts on R&D funding by the federal government, particularly on chemistry, physical sciences, and engineering. Assesses R&D spending by industry. Shows where academic institutions get R&D funds. (TW)

An overview of the membership of nine societies that comprise the American Institute of Physics is presented, with attention to demographic characteristics, employers, work activity, salaries, physics subfields, and differences among the societies. Comparisons are made to surveys since 1979, and highlights on 1983 salaries are included. One…

This report synthesizes the findings of the Illinois statewide curriculum census projects of 1977 and 1982. The census was designed to produce normative data relative to offerings and enrollments in Illinois public secondary schools and establish a source of information on secondary school curriculum. Statistical information include: (1)…

Statistical information, based on the 1978 survey in a series of biennial surveys known as the National Sample of Scientists and Engineers, sponsored by the National Science Foundation and conducted by the Bureau of the Census is presented. Individuals in the field of physical sciences are profiled, including chemists, physicists and astronomers,…

An analysis of trends in Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) scores looks at SAT verbal and mathematics averages by racial group and gender, reports racial group percentages of examinees by state, and charts relationships between ethnic group, parental education, family income, student years of postsecondary study, and scores. (MSE)