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…

Discusses data from tests and videotaped interviews indicating conceptual primitives as a source of student difficulty in physics. These include key concepts (mass, acceleration) and fundamental principles/models (Newton's and conservation laws, atomic model). Demonstrates that misconceptions can be studied using problems of minimum complexity to…

The dual purpose of this article is to provide a synthesis of the findings related to the use of computer simulations in physics education and to present implications for teachers and researchers in science education. We try to establish a conceptual framework for the utilization of computer simulations as a tool for learning and instruction in…

The study of conceptual change traces its heritage to the notions of paradigm (networks of shared beliefs, concepts, practices) and paradigm shift made famous by Thomas Kuhn in his book, "The Structure of Scientific Revolutions". Kuhn's work was quickly linked to developmental psychology (how knowledge develops) and to science education (teaching…

It is estimated that this academic year, for the first time, the majority of first-year doctoral students in physics are foreign, with one-fifth of foreign students in physics from China alone. At Pennsylvania State University, all six physics doctoral students are foreign, and much effort is spent to help the students function in an American…

Summarizes the main features of Michigan State University's Internet-based online degree programs in beam physics. Discuses enrollment and degree requirements; explains the WebCOSY system, an interactive Web-based homework and course management program; and examines participants, dropout rate, and grades. (Author/LRW)

A summer science camp was held in Korea for 30 ninth grade students gifted in science. Students were divided into three groups (physics, chemistry, and biology) for activities which included problem solving, brainstorming, and experimental work. The experiments of the physics group addressed the use of solar energy, the chemistry group focused on…

Presents some general characteristics of "older" students and describes courses and instructional strategies in the physical sciences related to these characteristics. (SK)

This paper presents cognitive and social data on 134 gifted students at a Moscow (Russia) residential math/physics high school. Three case studies of students frequently selected by students in a sociometric task are detailed. Discussion focuses on effects of lack of emphasis in humanities and social sciences, and on social and gender issues. (DB)

This paper is based on the idea that designing a knowledge representation for an intelligent physics computer tutoring system depends, in part, on the target behavior anticipated from the student. In addition, the document distinguishes between qualitative and quantitative competence in physics. These competencies are illustrated through questions…

This report presents 1991-92 data on enrollment trends in graduate physics as well as the educational backgrounds of physics and astronomy students, the proportions in which they chose their research specialties, career opportunities in terms of employers, and work activities and starting salaries. Highlights from the report show the following:…

Results of the 1984-1985 Graduate Student Survey of physics and astronomy graduates are presented, with attention to: educational background, current graduate student status, choice of subfield, and employment prospects. Highlights include: a major increase occurred in the proportion of foreign physics doctorate recipients; the number and…

Results of the 1982-1983 Graduate Student Survey of physics and astronomy graduates in the United States are presented. Information is provided on the educational background, current graduate student status, choice of subfield, and employment prospects. Highlights include the following findings: an increase occurred in the proportion of foreign…

Results of the 1981-1982 Graduate Student Survey of physics and astronomy graduates in the United States are presented. Information is provided on the educational background, current graduate student status, choice of subfield, and employment prospects where applicable. Highlights include the following: a further increase occurred in the number…

Results of the 1983-1984 Graduate Student Survey of physics and astronomy graduates are presented, with attention to: educational background, current graduate student status, choice of subfield, and employment prospects. Highlights include the following: the demand for doctoral physicists remains high, especially in industry; salary increases for…