Fourteen papers presented at the Seventh Biennial Conference on Chemical Education (Stillwater, Oklahoma 1982) are summarized. Papers focused on secondary/college chemistry courses, programs, instructional strategies, and projects emphasizing the relationship of chemistry to "real world" problems and issues. (JN)

Describes a two-semester laboratory program designed to motivate students. The program consists of computer-oriented modules and discovery approach laboratory exercises. Students complete similar computer/laboratory material during the first semester but elect one of three tracks during the second semester (computer, every-day life, and…

Describes Microcomputer, Nighttime Astronomy, and Communications Technology courses designed specifically for parents and their middle school children to take together. Includes overall goals and family reactions to the courses which appear to foster scientific literacy and bring parents and children closer together while engaged in educational…

Describes the Eastern North Carolina Teaching Resource Cooperative (COOP), a group of secondary schools working with East Carolina University to improve science education in a rural environment. Provides examples of cooperative activities such as teacher workshops, visiting scientist programs, student workshops, film festival, culture center, and…

Emphasized is the need for statewide direction in secondary science education coordinated by personnel from local school districts, local universities, and state departments of education. A state communication network is described and its impact on earth science, preservice and inservice college offerings, research, and other areas discussed. (DC)

Suggestions are given for encouraging parents to participate in their children's science studies, at home and at school. Several sample lessons illustrate the kinds of experiments that require only inexpensive supplies which parents can provide. (SA)

Describes a laboratory course on lasers for high school teachers. Suggests that more students could be reached by having teachers take such a course than teaching students directly. Lasers were lent for experimentation in high schools; teachers were invited to bring classes to the university to see research lasers. (Author/JN

Describes the astronautic programs and research at the Florida Institute of Technology, Melborne, Florida. Undergraduate and graduate students participate in research, such as Lighter-Than-Air vehicles, optical observation, auroral-magnetospheric research, and geomagnetism. (DS)

Described is part of the O.P.E. laboratory computer-based biology program designed for undergraduate medical and biology students. Described is an embryology dialogue in which the student proceeds through three stages in the knowledge and understanding of the concept of competence. (Author/DS)

Presents the results of a survey study conducted to identify the status of science education in the elementary schools (K-6) of Illinois during the 1975-1976 school year and to establish a data base. Implications of the findings are also included. (HM)

The Dayton Science Project emerged in 1990 through the Dayton (Ohio) Public Schools superintendent's efforts to redesign the district's K-12 science curriculum via a university-school partnership. Participants learned that partners need each other, shared understanding is crucial, decisions foster conflict, partner meeting should occur in neutral…

Addresses the change in focus from traditional school district-designed, fact-oriented science curricula in which teachers are in charge of designing and implementing instruction, to a science, technology, and society (STS) plan for science instruction in which students take a more active role. (DDR)

Argues that science is what it is because people have made it that way and that science could be different. Also points out that the various roles that science plays in society are constructed and likewise could be different. Contains 16 references. (DDR)

University of Colorado and AISES sponsor an Upward Bound program for Native American students that combines Western and Native-based approaches to math and science education during a summer residential program. Native American teachers expose students to modern laboratory equipment, computer technology, outdoor field experiments, outdoor…

Describes a primarily volunteer project that was developed with private industry to contribute to the research on space-grown vegetables and to promote science as a career. Focuses on the effects of microgravity and space travel on the germination and growth of plants. (DDR)