Describes a four- to six-week minicourse featuring topics from language arts, law, history, sociology, mathematics, art, and woodworking in addition to botany, zoology, genetics, ecology, and evolution. Student study is divided into five phases: tree-ring analysis; forest history; seedling competition; genetic improvement and cloning; and a…

Over the past three decades, American higher education has witnessed a shift in demographics which has created a more diverse student body. However, many university campuses remain unsupportive or even hostile to minority faculty and students. This anthology introduces to readers the Difference, Power, and Discrimination (DPD) Program, a…

This overview of the National Science Board's Science and Engineering Indicators 2006 describes some major U.S. and international science and technology (S&T) developments. It focuses on trends since about 1990, although it occasionally takes a longer view. The overview synthesizes selected major findings in a meaningful way and is not intended to…

Congress is taking an active role in understanding and responding to the underlying problems that confront America's competitiveness in the global economy. During the 109th congressional session, legislation has been introduced addressing the importance of mathematics and science in the global economy. The Senate's Protecting America's Competitive…

This bimonthly newsletter provides information about the progress of the Honor States Grant Program, a governor-led effort to improve college- and work-ready graduation rates. This issue explores science, technology, engineering, and math education (STEM), a priority for governors as they try to enhance workforce competitiveness in a global…

With funding from the National Science Foundation, engineering schools at Northeastern University, Tufts University, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, and Boston University joined forces in an effort to increase the number of girls who develop an interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields during the middle school…

This report identifies the range and extent of innovative workplace practices in place among 16 international organizations participating in the International Workplace Studies Program (IWSP). Information comes from interviews with organization representatives, written reports, summaries prepared by the organizations, and an extensive literature…

This curriculum guide incorporates the needed components to aid agriculture teachers in the implementation of the Vocational Instructional Management System in biotechnology: applications in agriculture. The guide begins with a list of the competencies/objectives found in the six units; list of references and materials; list of materials and…

Clarkson University's Space Grant Program provides an opportunity for students to consider engineering as a career option and aims to increase science literacy, promote critical thinking skills, and positive science attitudes. These goals are met through an adopt-a-school project which is described in detail to provide a model program for science…

This annual compilation examines issues in the shaping and adaptation of the modern university, in five articles. The first article, by Amy Sue Bix, is titled "'Backing into Sponsored Research': Physics and Engineering at Princeton University, 1945-1970." It reviews the process by which Princeton University (New Jersey) made a series of…

This document describes a project which served Chinese-speaking students of limited English proficiency in grades 9-12. Participating students received instruction in English as a Second Language, native language arts (NLA), and the content area subjects of mathematics, science, pre-engineering, computer literacy, and social studies. Students were…

The Engineering College at Hogskolen i Telemark has since 1982 practiced cooperative learning as the model of promoting student learning. It has earlier been shown that the Telemark Model does enhance many important aspects of learning and human growth. However, new demands on higher education in Norway asks for new roles of universities and…

This activity provides arenas in which students can brainstorm and discuss the different types of materials used to build houses in various climates. Small models of houses are built and tested against different climates. This activity requires a 75-minute time period for completion. (Author/SOE)

Working in teams of four, students build a tetrahedral kite following a specific set of directions and using specific provided materials. Students use basic processes of manufacturing systems-- cutting, shaping, forming, conditioning, assembling, joining, finishing, and quality control--to manufacture a complete tetrahedral kite within a given…

In this activity, students work with specified materials to create aqueduct components to transport two liters of water across a short distance in the classroom. The goal is to build an aqueduct that will supply Aqueductis, a Roman city, with clean water for private homes, public baths, and glorious fountains. By introducing various ideas and…