Japan has no formal educational system for gifted children. However, in 2005, Japan's Cabinet approved and established the third Science and Technology Basic Plan (2006-10), which includes "nurturing the individuality and ability of gifted ("sainou" in Japanese) children." Enforcement of this plan is exemplified in programs…

Scientists in Schools (SiS) is an initiative of the Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations that aims to establish and maintain sustained and ongoing partnerships between scientists and school communities as a means of developing more scientifically literate citizens. This paper describes and analyses an…

The Creativity in Science and Technology (CREST) award program is a national program designed to encourage secondary students to conduct their own experimental project in science and/or technology. Reports on a national evaluation of the CREST program which concludes that CREST is a useful method of incorporating scientific investigations into the…

Describes an action research project, "Girls into Science and Technology" (GIST), which focuses on girls' subject choices in the first three years in their secondary schools in the north of England. Summarizes the initiatives taken by the GIST team and reviews research findings and project outcome. (ML)

Discusses a $500 million Arab fund to promote regional research on topics such as arid land development, water resource development, and solar energy. (MLH)

Describes the start, material development, relevance, teaching methods, dissemination, evaluation, and future plan of the Science and Technology in Society (SATIS) projects. Provides a list of 100 SATIS resource units to enrich science courses for 14-16 age students. (Author/YP)

Since children draw no sharp distinction between work and play, it is possible to link science and drama in school, integrating science learning with the rest of their education. The success of this approach is attested by descriptions of four dramatic presentations which were finalists in an interschool competition. (Author/JN)

Introduces the Technology and Development Program (TDP) at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) that helps outside organizations with resources and knowledge in the area of science, technology, and development. Describes a program example including background, objectives, and activities. Lists nine reasons for the program's success. (YP)

Described are the technology training principles, student selection, program content, postgraduate program, graduate program, undergraduate program, and expenses of the Nokia Group in Finland. (YP)

Outlines current practices and future trends for science education in Thailand. Advocates a change in the teacher's role to that of facilitator and the increased incorporation of technology and multimedia approaches to science education. (WRM)

Examines problems of science and technology (S/T) education in Mexico, indicating that a proposed project will create a pilot, experimental center designed to systematically improve the teaching of S/T at all educational levels. Discusses project objectives, financial aspects, and role of environmental education. (JN)

Delineates a concept of scientific literacy as it relates to the Nigerian situation. Examines the relevance and implications of scientific literacy to the educational system and national security. Suggests how scientific literacy can be encouraged through science programs, especially in elementary science education. (YP)

Compares the science and technology strategies and priorities of France, Germany, Japan, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Analyzes the similarities and differences, historical settings, research and development allocations, coordinating mechanisms, outputs, dissatisfactions, and recent changes. (TW)

Describes a World Wide Web-based, user-friendly, language-independent graphical user interface providing access to visualizations created for GLOBE (Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment), a multinational program of education and science. (DDR)

Provided are edited background papers prepared for a Meeting of Experts on the Incorporation of Science and Technology in the Primary School Curriculum. Papers are organized into four major sections. Section 1 is concerned with such topics as the rationale and objectives of science and technology in primary schools, selection of appropriate…