This article showcases STEM as an interdisciplinary field in which the disciplines strengthen and support each other (not as separate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines). The authors focus on an open-ended, complex problem--water quality--as the primary teaching and learning task. The participants, middle school female…

Understanding problems or tasks is a critical step in any problem-solving activity and the heart of self-regulated learning. When encountering a problem, students draw upon information available in the environment, along with knowledge, concepts, and perceptions derived from prior learning experiences, to interpret the demands of the task.…

The aim of this paper is to analyze what generic competencies at the "Universitat Politécnica de Catalunya" (UPC BarcelonaTech) are most evaluated by the teaching staff belonging to the first curricular block of industrial engineering degree courses at the Barcelona "Escola Universitaria d'Enginyeria Técnica Industrial," and…

The Next-Generation Science Standards (NGSS) challenge primary teachers and students to work and think like scientists and engineers as they strive to understand complex concepts. Teachers and teacher educators can leverage what is already known about inquiry teaching as they plan instruction to help students meet the new standards. This…

Adult learners have unique educational needs that require attention from Higher Education Institutions, facilitators and industry. While several theories and policies have been developed to address the bourgeoning educational challenges confronting adult learners in Higher Education Institutions, not much has been achieved in the wake of growing…

The socio-economic effects of poor safety and health computer working environment are enormous to not only users but also their enterprises at large. This study examined universities' commitment towards safety and health requirements in computers usage by PhD students, using a case of University of Dar es Salaam and Makerere University. Responses…

In 2010, the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS) founded the Sabah Al Ahmad Center for Giftedness and Creativity (SACGC). The Center supports Kuwait's Strategic Development Plan and the country's commitment to nurture gifted and talented youth. The Center also supports the work of talented adult inventors and entrepreneurs by…

Background: This article seeks to examine factors that shape Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) engineering students' understanding of their future career choices. Moreover, given the promising and ambitious vision for growth in both TVET and Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), as envisaged by the policy framework, White Paper on…

Farmer education and perceptions have been neglected in extension science. Knowledge, attitude and perceptions on technologies are key and first steps in adoption process. While Video Mediated Learning (VML) is a new communication approach currently being promoted as alternative pathway to foster knowledge sharing, Farmer Field Schools (FFS)…

A Rube Goldberg device is a complicated, yet comically involved machine that performs a simple task such as closing a door, watering a plant, or typing a key on a keyboard. Creating one is an open-ended activity that challenges students to use prior knowledge, resourcefulness, investigatory skills, and imagination. This reverse engineering…

Although solving an engineering design project problem with limited resources or structural capabilities of materials can be part of the challenge, students making their own parts can support creativity. The authors of this article found an exciting solution: 3D printers are not only one of several tools for making but also facilitate a creative…

Integrating teaching and research can benefit both instructors and students by providing an enriching, stimulating experience that combines the instructors' interests with topics that are relevant and motivating to students. In keeping with National Science Foundation review criteria, the integrated course captures both intellectual merit, that is…

This paper gives a focussed summary of good practice taken primarily from engineers who are responsible for teaching topics related to systems and control. This engineering specialisation allows the paper to give some degree of focus in the discussions around laboratories, software and assessment, although naturally many of the conclusions are…

History departments in universities across the country are facing acute pressure to increase enrollments. In this article, the author describes an effort to boost history enrollments that they have spearheaded over the past couple of years: teaching the history of engineering online. In particular, the author would strongly encourage history…

We describe a game and teachers' experiences using it in their middle and high school science courses. The game, which is called "Luck of the Draw", was designed originally to engage medical students and later adopted for middle school, high school, and college students in genetics, and to encourage critical thinking about is-sues such…