This article describes the use and advantages of the MATLAB-based program ReshmoBeam, developed to perform beam analysis, as it is done in statics courses of engineering curricula. An important goal of the article is to facilitate the dissemination of the program among faculty teaching these courses. The program is offered free to interested…

Engineering design is an ideal perspective for engaging students in college science classes. An engineering design problem-solving framework was used to create a general chemistry lab activity focused on an important environmental issue--dead zones. Dead zones impact over 400 locations around the world and are a result of nutrient pollution, one…

In science and engineering courses, instructors administer multiple examinations as major assessments of students' learning. When a student is unable to take an exam, the instructor might estimate the missing exam score to calculate the student's course grade. Using exam score data from multiple offerings of two large courses at a public…

This study took place in a biotechnology laboratory course series that provided students with authentic research experiences. We documented student identities after the experience and explored how these identities related to future career aspirations.

In the early 1900s science magazines were published with a goal of interesting and exciting the public about science and technology. Articles described technology that was possible and perhaps even tested, but never embraced because of practical limitations. Articles were written in an effort to instill creativity in the reader and to stimulate…

This article investigates the mechanisms through which undergraduate research experiences for community college students can have second-order and multiplier effects on other students and home community college science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) departments and thus build STEM pipeline capacity. Focus groups with the science…

Within the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education community there are repeated calls for the reform of undergraduate teaching. Resulting change efforts often focus on developing and disseminating specific instructional ideas and practices to individual faculty. However, in this paper, the authors argue that these efforts…

Argues that community colleges can contribute to the pressing need to educate more scientists, mathematicians, and engineers. (PR)

Offers reasons why students should be exposed to and understand the implications of the global character of science and technology. Examples of scientific/technical issues and problems which are global in their scope are long-term atmospheric warming trends, weather forecasting, desertification, earthquake prediction, acid rain, and nuclear…

Presents "Undergraduate Faculty Development in Science: A Report to the Congress by the National Science Foundation," recommending low priority for this program. Although two years old, the issues in the report are of paramount concern to planners charged with improving undergraduate science education. (Author/JN)

Discusses a common misconception in the area of electric circuits at the level of introductory college physics. The data, collected from clinical interviews, shed light on the cognitive sources of misconception. Also discusses some implications for laboratory approaches used in science courses. (Author/SK)

Describes some of the realities associated with engineering careers. Emphasizes the importance of giving students a broader understanding of life as an engineer. Indicates that groups should support research programs to investigate more effective use of trained persons who have been discarded in midcareer. (RT)

Describes the Academic Excellence Workshops program at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, as a potential model for an academic support system specifically designed for underrepresented students in math-based disciplines. (PR)

Describes the Meyerhoff Scholarship Program at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, that is designed to increase the number of African Americans, especially males, who enter and succeed in undergraduate, doctoral and professional programs. (PR)

Describes the interactions and applications of three models of learning: Bloom's taxonomy, the Jungian or Myers-Brigg's Typology, and William Perry's model of attitude toward learning. (PR)