This USMES unit challenges students to find ways to make the classroom a better place. The teacher resource book for the Classroom Design unit contains five sections. The first section describes the USMES approach to student-initiated investigations of real problems, including a discussion of the nature of the USMES "challenges" and of classroom…

PLAN Social studies curriculum attempts to assure that each student achieves educational objectives appropriate to his individual needs and interests. The guiding framework is presented in the form of a list of over one hundred long-range objectives (LRO's). The major objective areas are: inquiry, problem-solving and planning, affective…

Because opportunities for active social roles are essential for adolescents to develop into socially responsible and competent adults, it seemed logical to devise a high school curriculum in which result-oriented investigation of real problems by the students plays a major part. To this end, a conference addressed itself to formulating the meaning…

This position paper indicates that, human survival depends upon a major change in humanistic values or the way we view our relationship to the world. Education must go through reform from within that includes the adoption of a K-12, transdisciplinary, problem-solving curriculum. And must, also, offer students environmentally sound alternatives to…

Problem-based learning (PBL) is a teaching technique that educates by presenting students with a situation that leads to a problem for them to solve. Rather than finding a single correct answer, students interpret the question, gather additional information, create possible solutions, evaluate options, and present conclusions. This book shows…

Describes the Critical Issues Forum, a multidisciplinary program designed to encompass computer technology, current global issues, and effective teaching and learning practices. Features open-ended, collaborative activities that deal with current, real-world issues. Discusses analysis of the issues and integrating technology. (JRH)

Discussed is a way to develop an integrated unit based on a fictional book. An example for constructing a unit is included as well as activities from units that consider birds, volcanoes, and measurement. Each unit contains a summary, topic areas, content-related words, activities, related books and references. (KR)

Maintains that the science/technology/society movement (STS) is a megatrend in science education. Explains that STS takes a holistic, problem-solving approach toward teaching science, one that is student oriented and much more accessible than traditional approaches. Lists tables that contrast STS and traditional classes. (DB)

Demonstrates how to promote the transference of concepts and principles developed in other curricula to enhance a student's subject matter mastery in soil classification. Describes course format, critical thinking techniques, and a course evaluation. A conclusion and references are included. (Author/RT)

Describes a new system for teaching architectural education known as Architectural Design Education. States that this system, developed by Anne Taylor and George Vlastos, introduces students to the problem solving process, integrates creative activities with traditional disciplines, and enhances students' and teachers' ability to relate to their…

Integrates mathematics and science by investigating the scientific application of the Polynomial Difference Theorem using data points from an experiment. Utilizes the different capabilities of the graphing calculator to investigate a problem whose solution is a second degree equation and makes connections between the mathematical concepts involved…

Discusses factors that influence the shapes of houses built in different cultures. Poses the problem of building a house with optimal floor space given a fixed amount of material for the walls. Discusses students' findings, questions raised during group discussions, and mathematical concepts utilized to solve the problem. (MDH)

The "ISSS Annual Conference Proceedings" is a peer-reviewed professional publication published once a year following the annual conference. (Individual papers contain references.) [For the 2011 proceedings, see ED518589.]

This paper describes a program sponsored by Dartmouth's Thayer School of Engineering for high school science and mathematics teachers that includes an intensive summer workshop, post-workshop consultation and communication with the Thayer School staff and other past participants, and materials development. The program offers teachers a framework…

The goal of this interdisciplinary curriculum is to enable students to make informed and responsible decisions about natural resources management by promoting an understanding of natural, social, and economic environments and the student's role in affecting all three. The included investigations utilize processes and techniques that help people…