Addresses the status of engineering education for women. Discusses the changes related to both the image of women and the engineering profession over the past 15 years. Assesses how computer-aided engineering has made engineering attractive to women today. (TW)

Reports on the amounts and trends in spending on research and development in chemistry in the United States. Profiles industrial, federal, and academic sectors, both in applied and basic research. (JM)

As enrollments in engineering programs soar, many schools have been forced to control enrollment, resulting in a large population of pre-engineering majors. To aid in the understanding and advising of these majors, student profiles reflecting motivation patterns are presented. (MLW)

An electrical engineering program in which a field experience component is used both to enhance training and to evaluate the program's outcomes is described. The curriculum development process is highlighted. (MSE)

Describes a chemical engineering course for liberal arts students that is taught from a scientific, social, and symbolic perspective. A summary of the early days of oil refining is included as representative of one of the major content segments of the course. (ML)

Explains the context in which courses aimed at improving problem-solving skills are implemented. Describes the structure and content of courses and evaluates activities designed to develop problem-solving skills, including a discussion of factors affecting students in their ability to perform. (JM)

Describes design and production of the award-winning software used to control Great Britain's Open University Materials Science videodisc, the Teddy Bear Disc, which is used to teach undergraduate students about materials engineering. The disc is designed for use in one-week sessions, which students attend in July or August. (MBR)

Discusses current activities of the National Science Foundation's (NSF) education directorate, including proposed programs to upgrade science and mathematics teaching at the elementary and junior high school levels. Includes comments by Bassam Z. Shakhashiri, NSF's new assistant director for science and engineering education. (JN)

Discusses the current crisis in science/mathematics and engineering education in comparison to the crisis after Sputnik. Suggests money is not the answer and deplores the lack of coordinated effort to meet the challenges the crisis presents. Emphasizes the importance of less than positive attitude of U.S. citizens toward these areas. (JM)

Questions Japan's ability to maintain its economic success without substantially changing its approach to education. Discusses international responses to the nation's level of exports, the maturing and stabilization of its economy, and the rapid aging of its population and work force as trends that may require significant change. (BC)

Structured Controversy, an instructional technique based on cooperative group learning, stimulates student involvement in issues concerning technology and society. The technique involves selecting a discussion topic; preparing instructional materials; preparing students for the discussion; the structured controversy itself; and wrap-up and…

Lists objectives of a four-week summer program (Females in Engineering, Methods, Motivation, Experience) designed to attract ninth-grade females to science and engineering careers. Also discusses program content and strategies and results of student and parent evaluation of the 1983 program. (JN)

Provides data (obtained from an American Chemical Society survey) on undergraduate studies in chemistry. Lists and discusses chemistry, elective chemistry, and supporting courses (such as writing and physics) considered to be important by professional chemists. Also recommends that undergraduates pursue studies in biochemistry, polymer chemistry,…

This case study describes how path analysis and causal modeling were used to assess the impact of federal research and development spending on Ph.D production in science and engineering at leading research universities. The nature of existing data, integrated into a single data base from seven surveys, influenced the research methodology. (BS)

This research uses a conceptual model to examine the influence of a change in accreditation standards on a representative national sample of 203 engineering programs at 40 institutions. Based on data collected from 147 program chairs, 1,200 faculty, 4,300 graduates of 2004, and 5,500 graduates of 1994, the study investigates the differential…