Despite efforts to improve the quality and equity of science, mathematics, engineering, and technology (SMET) education at all educational levels, the nation remains at risk of losing its competitive edge. This report presents the findings of a special panel convened for two purposes: (1) to review federal programs in SMET education at all levels;…

One definition of creativity is the conviction that each and every existing idea can be improved. It is proposed that creativity in an engineering design process can be encouraged by the adoption of Total Quality Management (TQM) methods based on a commitment to continuous improvement. This paper addresses the introduction and application of TQM…

Several researchers have argued that the underrepresentation of women and minorities in professional occupations results from negative beliefs or attitudes, particularly self-efficacy expectations. A Science Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (SSEQ) was designed and later administered to 430 students (all were enrolled in freshman general chemistry and…

Distillation in the chemistry laboratory is an essential part of a practicing chemists' and a chemistry educators' work. Nevertheless, regardless of the degree of importance in each of the aforementioned professions, few educational studies on teaching and learning distillation exist. In an effort to rectify this oversight, the Department of…

Despite gains since 1970, women still make up only 15% of the science and engineering workforce in the United States. Nationally women constitute about 11% of the science faculty in professional ranks. A recent research study's dealing with the issue of women in science found that women's self-concept resulting from few faculty as role models,…

This report on Federal agency research and development (R&D) is based on the FY 1983 Presidential budget which continues the economic revitalization policies initiated in the previous year's budget. While the report emphasizes analyses of detailed data on R&D performers, fields of science, and geographic distribution of R&D, it also…

This project, stemming from work started under the National Science Foundation grant "Development of a Television Computer Assisted Instruction (TVCAI) System" SER-7806412, called for the transfer to videodisc of some of the videotape materials developed under the grant. Three efforts were included in the proposal: design and development…

Describes problems encountered in teaching a problem-centered undergraduate organic chemistry laboratory course. No text is used for this type of course; the students are encouraged to plan their own experimental routes. (MLH)

Curry's model of learning style framework with Claxton and Murrell's adaptations was used to study the profile of non-majors in a college biology course. The purpose of the study was to provide empirically derived data in both a qualitative and quantitative format of the non-major to improve the course. Over 600 students were administered the…

This background paper focuses on the end point of educational preparation for science and engineering careers--undergraduate and graduate study. It places the issue of the supply of scientists and engineers in the broad cultural context of changing demographics, labor market adjustments, and intervention policies. The first chapter discusses the…

Electrochemical phenomena play a fundamental role in providing essential materials and devices for modern society. This report reviews the status of current knowledge of electrochemical science and technology and makes recommendations for future research and development in this multidisciplinary field. The report identifies new technological…

During the process of studying the specific course content of human anatomy, students are being educated to expand their vocabulary, learn to deal successfully with complex tasks, and use a specific way of thinking. This is the second volume in a set of laboratory instructions and study notes which are designed to accompany a lecture series in…

Misconceptions, shown to be prevalent in students even at the college level, may affect the cognitive process of making predictions in biology. The purpose of this study was to: (1) identify students' misconceptions about important biological concepts; (2) identify students' cognitive behaviors associated with making predictions about these…

This curriculum guide presents 100 lessons for an advanced placement course on programming in Pascal. Some of the topics covered include arrays, sorting, strings, sets, records, computers in society, files, stacks, queues, linked lists, binary trees, searching, hashing, and chaining. Performance objectives, vocabulary, motivation, aim,…

Two-year colleges are often overlooked in undergraduate education even though they are responsible for educating 37 percent of all college students and over half of the minorities in higher education. In the fall of 1988, the Office of Undergraduate Science, Engineering, and Mathematics Education (USEME) convened a 2-day conference to discuss the…