The increasing loss of biological diversity, resulting from the loss of genetic diversity, the extinction of species, and the destruction of ecosystems, constitutes a crisis of global proportions. The resources being committed to its resolution are relatively small. This document summarizes a survey of U.S.-based organizations involved in…

This report to the United States Senate deals with the systems and procedures used by various federal agencies to award research funds to universities and the resulting distribution of those funds. More specifically, it is intended to review previous studies of the relationship between the award process and distribution of federal research funds,…

Recalling several recent catastrophic examples of unethical behavior among engineers, this paper examines some of the obvious and non-obvious consequences of academic dishonesty as it occurs in engineering courses. The results of several studies relating to the extent of cheating in engineering courses, as well as the reasons for cheating are…

The National Science Foundation (NSF) provides awards for education and research in the sciences, mathematics, and engineering. This publication contains information on fiscal year 1986 awards. An introductory section reviews the goals of NSF's education program and the long-range goals of the Directorate for Science and Engineering Education.…

Most Aboriginal people in Australia lack the background qualifications to enter higher education courses in science and mathematics. In 1984, the Western Australian Institute of Technology (WAIT) (now Curtin University of Technology) developed a project which created and evaluated bridging courses for Aboriginal people seeking to gain access into…

The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) of Unesco promotes cooperation and the furtherance of chemistry worldwide. The workshop was structured so that contributions representing a wide range of interests in chemistry and chemical education could be presented. The papers include: (1) descriptions of some simple equipment that…

Because of the changes occurring in the chemical sciences, a new survey of chemistry and its intellectual and economic impact was clearly needed. This report presents a current assessment of the status of chemistry and of the future opportunities in the field. This analysis contains: (1) an introductory chapter (establishing the need for the…

The current state of engineering graduate study in the United States, its future, and its relationship to research are examined in this report of the National Research Council Committee on the Education and Utilization of the Engineer. The study focuses principally on increasing the supply of highly qualified doctoral recipients who are United…

This set of lecture notes is used as a supplemental text for the teaching of fluid dynamics, as one component of a thermodynamics course for engineering technologists. The major text for the course covered basic fluids concepts such as pressure, mass flow, and specific weight. The objective of this document was to present additional fluids…

Situational influences on self-confidence and assertiveness in female and male graduate students in science and engineering were studied, based on responses from 328 Stanford University students (155 males and 173 females). Two dependent variables were used: an index of items measuring an individual's self-confidence in the ability to perform…

Designed to address the major conceptual problems associated with evolution and variation and survival in populations, this module can be used with high school students or college nonscience majors including those in elementary education. It is one in a series developed by the project "Overcoming Critical Barriers to Learning in Nonmajors'…

This report is based on a study of professional education and career directions in the field of Science, Engineering and Public Policy (SEPP). It used data collected from surveys of 21 SEPP graduate programs, approximately 550 alumni from 16 of these programs, and employees and professionals who entered the field without formal SEPP education.…

This book contains 108 classroom demonstrations intended to be used with any introductory chemistry program. These demonstrations were selected in an effort to provide simple, safe, effective and enjoyable experiences for the class. In addition, they are intended to be used to introduce many of the major concepts in chemistry. The demonstrations…

This book contains 112 classroom demonstrations intended to be used with any introductory chemistry program. These demonstrations were selected in an effort to provide simple, safe, effective and enjoyable experiences for the class. In addition, they are intended to be used to introduce many of the major concepts in chemistry. The demonstrations…

Energy issues have been the focus of scientists, science educators, politicians, historians, sociologists, and economists since the increase in fuel costs, passing of federal regulations on oil prices, changes in automobile standards, and increase in conservation measures. Many feel that educators have the responsibility of designing energy…