An emerging focus on pre-college education in the 1980s is the interaction of science and technology in terms of their combined interrelationships with society. The characterizations of the science/technology/society (S/T/S) theme, as advanced by science educators, social studies educators, and environmental educators, exhibit similarities. It is…

Intended for teachers of secondary and college level students, this instructor's guide presents an overview of materials covered in the student text, followed by four categories of examination questions and teaching aids. The guide reflects the format of the student text and is divided into four sections. A brief description is provided of each…

Examined in this booklet, one of a series intended to apply economic principles to major social and political issues of the day, are such questions as the origins of interest in combating pollution, why people pollute, continuing interest in the issue, the social costs of pollution, and a possible solution to the problem, all considered from an…

Intended for secondary and college level students and teachers, this guide discusses the nuclear arms control issue. There are four sections. Section I discusses U.S. nuclear strategy from 1945 to the present, strategic nuclear weapons competition between the United States and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (U.S.S.R.), U.S.…

Educators from over 30 countries judged the suitability of incidents in moral education in the context of their native environment. Participants were 54 secondary school principals or teachers, most of whom were graduate students or married to graduate students at the University of California, Santa Barbara. They were given descriptions of 23…

There is virtually nothing taught in the American public school that is not potentially explosive at some time or place. America's cultural makeup provides for the development of controversy whenever such issues as sex, religion, politics, and economics are raised, and particularly when they are raised in the school environment. School…

Part of a series which offers educational resources and teaching techniques related to major social issues to high school social studies classroom teachers, the guide focuses on political and economic aspects of tax policy in the United States. The document is presented in three major chapters. Chapter I explores how economic and political science…

Describes how nuclear education has evolved into nuclear age education in an attempt to prepare young people to respond responsibly to world problems. Explains how positive and preventive emphases toward social issues have helped the growing acceptance of nuclear age and peace education. Discusses some remaining problems. (RT)

Reports on a study that focused on the psychological impact of nuclear education curriculum on middle school students. Concluded that instruction about nuclear issues rarely increases students' fear or worry about nuclear war. (RT)

Focuses on public education about the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) epidemic. Discusses the problems of a second epidemic of fear and anxiety. Presents several questions for classroom discussion and analysis of the public fear of AIDS. Gives some statistics highlighting misinformation about AIDS. (CW)

"Harvard Education Letter" is published bimonthly at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. This issue of "Harvard Education Letter" contains the following articles: (1) Talking 'bout Evolution: High School Science Teachers Share Strategies for Dealing with Controversy in the Classroom (Nancy Walser); (2) Standards-Based…

The concept of academic freedom originated in situations related to higher education. Although academic freedom may apply to professors, it is far from clear how, and even why, academic freedom applies to classroom K-12 teachers. This paper treats the balancing of teacher and school district rights in suits brought by teachers who claimed that…

Analyzes data from a questionnaire addressing preservice elementary teachers' negative attitudes toward social studies. Identifies and discusses six categories of concern: negative past experiences; lack of personal interest; confusion over the nature of social studies; conflicting beliefs; topic selection; and traditional teaching styles. (MJP)

Outlines several historical cases that can be used to illustrate and teach paradoxical concepts concerning democracy. For example, can an "undemocratic" action be correct (the Louisiana Purchase)? The combination of historical incident and controversy provokes a lively and challenging discussion of democratic principles. (MJP)

Delineates a number of instructional and administrative strategies for integrating global education into the classroom. Addresses such issues as the organized opposition of some groups, the concerns of parents over subject matter and approach, lack of resources for teachers, and global education for special needs students. (MJP)