Science, engineering, and technology permeate nearly every facet of modern life and hold the key to solving many of humanity's most pressing current and future challenges. The United States' position in the global economy is declining, in part because U.S. workers lack fundamental knowledge in these fields. To address the critical issues of U.S.…

An emerging body of research suggests that a set of broad "21st century skills"--such as adaptability, complex communication skills, and the ability to solve non-routine problems--are valuable across a wide range of jobs in the national economy. However, the role of K-12 education in helping students learn these skills is a subject of current…

The Academic Competitiveness Council (ACC) is responsible for reviewing the effectiveness of existing federally funded Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) programs, and for improving the state of STEM education in the United States. To this end, it has conducted a review of program evaluations submitted by 115 STEM programs. The…

Describes general approaches that seem to be necessary in bridging the gap between a strict academic approach to chemistry and the practical aspects of problem solving in pollution abatement control. Presents the EPA role in training in view of graduate training grant phase-out. (Author/GS)

Energy education is defined and three approaches, citizen, career, consumer, are suggested and explained. A rationale for energy education in the schools is given and the federal role in energy education is explained. The curriculum development efforts of the department of energy are mentioned and a list of energy curriculum materials is included.…

The National Diffusion Network (NDN) is a federal program that disseminates information about exemplary educational programs and helps other schools replicate them. Each state has an NDN facilitator who can help interested teachers develop and/or find appropriate curricula. Information on applying to and participating in the NDN is given. (DH)

New trend of the National Science Foundation is for more support of science education for all students, and for individual research projects, especially those dealing with national problems. (IR)

Presented is an interview with Donald J. Senese (Department of Education Assistant Secretary) in which the department's functions, responsibilities, and philosophies in precollege science/mathematics education are outlined and discussed. Specific questions answered relate to curriculum development, creationism, copyright ownership of software,…

This study reports the results of several needs assessment procedures used with teachers and principals from a random sample of 224 schools involved in the Minnesota Research and Evaluation Project during the 1971-1975 period. Data were gathered using questionnaires, goal ranking procedures, and a Curriculum Attitude Survey. Principals and…

Explains changes in programs, policies, and procedures in the Science Education Directorate. Considers administration, effects of reorganization of institutional support and curriculum development programs (including changes in peer/staff review procedures), and new administration's conception of its mission, relationship to groups making demands…

Provided are notes of conferences and meetings conducted during the period 1952 to 1956 concerning National Science Foundation (NSF) support of "Education in the Sciences." Materials vary from copies of reports to draft materials for reports. (SL)

The impact of a large in-migration of scientists and technicians on the educational policies of the Albuquerque, New Mexico, public school system from 1945 to 1965 was investigated for the purpose of analyzing the educational politics of a system related to an increasing tempo of demands for a more academic curriculum. A case study design which…

After a study of ten science education projects receiving NSF financing, the GAO concludes that evaluation of educational materials needs more attention, distribution efforts should be strengthened, and a need exists for more active and systematic project monitoring. Chapter 1 of this document gives a general review of NSF activities and funding…

Focuses on the response of the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the congressional authorization committees to the NSF sponsored precollege science programs. The article also summarizes and analyzes some of the results of the survey conducted by the Research Triangle Institute (RTI), North Carolina. (HM)

Examines issues and developments surrounding early National Science Foundation (NSF) curriculum projects, providing a conceptual basis for understanding present science education issues on re-education of teachers and redesigning science curricula. The scientific community had great control on the NSF projects but did not consider new…