Summarizes concerns addressed in this special issue on Black students and mathematics, science, and technology education, including the following: (1) the imperative to improve the educational delivery system; (2) the consequences of failure to do so; (3) the necessity of empowerment; (4) the call for a multicultural approach; and (5) the role of…

Describes activities of the Detroit Area Pre-College Engineering Program (DAPCEP), which aims to increase the number of middle school and high school minority (Black, Hispanic, and Native American) students who are motivated and prepared academically to choose careers in science, engineering, and other technical fields. Summarizes program…

Describes the Research-Oriented Skills Development Model, a program for attracting larger numbers of minorities to graduate study in engineering and science. Program goals include generating awareness of research-oriented career options, encouraging analysis of the state and role of technology, and assisting individuals in obtaining graduate…

Discussion of the use of computer simulation for laboratory experiments in undergraduate engineering education focuses on work at the University of New South Wales in the instructional design and software development of a package simulating a heat exchange device. The importance of integrating theory, design, and experimentation is also discussed.…

The advantages of using videoconferencing in engineering education are stressed. Discussed are technological change, engineering practice, faculty development, educational effectiveness, and teleconferencing vendors. An example of a campus-based teleconferencing service is cited. (CW)

Discussed is the mission of the National Science Foundation regarding science education in the United States. Recent history of supported programs is described. Efforts to reorganize the foundation are reported. (CW)

The first of three articles reports the effectiveness of a feature-matching approach to computer retrieval of graphic information. The second discusses the use of multivariate techniques to measure perceived complexity of database searching by users. The third explores the limitations of user consultation in database design. (Author/CLB)

Describes female representation in science and engineering in the Swedish educational system and labor force. Discusses how to change attitudes toward female scientists and engineers in society. (YP)

Described are six activities for elementary and middle school students designed to encourage them to think about careers in engineering. Instructions and materials are discussed. (CW)

Explored the relation of self-efficacy beliefs to inventoried vocational interests in 70 science and engineering students in a career planning course, using the Strong-Campbell Interest Inventory and measures of perceived ability to complete the educational requirements of science and engineering fields. Findings indicated significant correlations…

Discusses the importance of recognizing the human component in library automation systems to ensure the smooth and efficient operation of the system. Human factors considerations are discussed in terms of health and safety aspects, ergonomics, workplace design, and job organization. (41 references) (CLB)

Presents selected results from an empirical investigation into the use of computer networks in aerospace engineering based on data from a national mail survey. The need for user-based studies of electronic networking is discussed, and a copy of the questionnaire used in the survey is appended. (Contains 46 references.) (LRW)

A computer-based replacement for an electronics laboratory experiment was created and tested on second-year undergraduate students in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Southampton (England). Responses, assessed by questionnaire, showed that computer-assisted learning techniques provide a viable means for teaching…

Discussion of how to teach decision-making skills to undergraduate engineering design students highlights a computer-based decision support tool, WOMBAT (Weighted Objectives Method by Arguing with the Tutor). Changes in WOMBAT from an earlier version are described, and an example of dialog between a user and the system is included. (Contains 24…

A study of problems encountered by British engineering tutors in assessing core skills required for General National Vocational Qualifications revealed the following: tutors had to assume responsibility for students' skill development; better communication of expectations was needed; and students welcomed a more active approach to learning and the…