We designed the Integrated Sciences First-Year Program (ISFP) to introduce students to the nature and process of science early in their academic career, help them develop skills and competencies, and create an intellectual community of learners to foster belonging within science. Using their inherent curiosity, we designed active learning…

Undergraduate students are increasingly aware of complex global challenges and have a strong desire to take action and create change. Course-based undergraduate research experiences can offer a wide range of students the opportunity to gain skills needed to address these challenges. At a small liberal arts college in New England, we developed the…

Lab components of undergraduate science courses typically have students complete highly directed cookbook-like laboratory activities. These experiences rarely engage students in a meaningful manner and do not accurately convey what the work of science entails. With funding from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI), we have created more…

This paper discusses a novel structure for providing a high-impact, first year experience for science students. ASTER (Access to Science Through Experience in Research) is an extracurricular certification program designed to introduce our students to the research culture via seminar attendance, journal clubs, book clubs, and lab visits.…

Describes an SOS project, "Arsenic in Waters, Soils, Biota, and Wastes of Chautauqua County, New York," sponsored by the National Science Foundation. (CS)

Provides insights for college-level teachers beginning their tasks of directing student research. (PR)

Describes the use of "contracting" as a method to remind students of the importance of independent investigations. The contract is an agreement for learning between the student and professor. (PR)

Presents an experimental design for feeding experiments requiring minimal equipment, small numbers of animals, and limited expenses. These projects provide insights into animal nutrition, food selection, animal behavior and animal husbandry. (Author/GS)

Describes 15 innovative college science programs identified by the Society of College Science Teachers. Gives nine generalizations regarding the programs. (YP)

Describes a program at Drew University, in which retired scientists receive offices, research space, and equipment in exchange for directing the research of advanced undergraduates. (PR)

Describes a program that involved classroom instruction in advanced mathematics, a visit to the Mathematical Sciences section of Oak Ridge Laboratory, talks by faculty members on their interests, work with mentors on student research activities, and various recreational activities. Includes a list of projects and students participating. (RT)

Reports on a project, funded by the National Science Foundation, being conducted at Argonne National Laboratory to encourage physically handicapped students to undertake careers in science, mathematics, and engineering. (Author/SK)

Describes two-semester sequence of half-credit (two semester hours) seminars offered during spring/fall of the junior/senior years. Junior seminar emphasizes oral communication; introduces students to origins, ideas, and processes of biology; and to how biology influences values/ethics of individuals and society. Senior seminar provides…

Describes four instructional techniques used to deliver specific developmental objectives in both an introductory chemistry course and a general course in science and technology. The four techniques described are miniresearch projects, scenario-based research projects, short essay examination questions, and issues-directed research project. (PR)