Assesses the status and direction of Japan's approach to schooling. Questions the emphasis placed on rote learning and on attainment of high scores. Outlines potential themes and problems to examine for reforming Japanese schools. (ML)

Discusses the current status and future direction of science at liberal arts colleges. Summarizes findings of a conference attended by leaders of 50 private colleges and small universities on college science. States that students from small colleges fare well in later science endeavors. (ML)

Compares the science and technology strategies and priorities of France, Germany, Japan, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Analyzes the similarities and differences, historical settings, research and development allocations, coordinating mechanisms, outputs, dissatisfactions, and recent changes. (TW)

Illustrates the state of the art in pyrolysis mass spectrometry techniques through applications in: (1) structural determination and quality control of synthetic polymers; (2) quantitative analysis of polymer mixtures; (3) classification and structural characterization of fossil organic matter; and (4) nonsupervised numerical extraction of…

Discusses the efforts of the president of the National Academy of Science to get scientists more involved in the public schools. (ZWH)

Discusses recent developments in the instrumentation and practice of analytical scale operations. Emphasizes detection devices and procedures in gas chromatography, liquid chromatography, electrophoresis, supercritical fluid chromatography, and field-flow fractionation. (JN)

Discusses: (1) rationale for chemical sensors in process analysis; (2) existing types of process chemical sensors; (3) sensor limitations, considering lessons of chemometrics; (4) trends in process control sensors; and (5) future prospects. (JN)

Describes goals and decisions for implementation developed by the International Soros Science Education Program (ISSEP). ISSEP is an initiative directed to the education of basic sciences in Russia and other newly independent states of the former Soviet Union. Focuses on ensuring the recognition of gifted young students at the high school level…

Described is the need for the development of innovative continuous programs that reach minority students at an early age. The importance of mentors for minority students is stressed at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Reasons for the underrepresentation of minorities in the sciences and engineering are discussed. (KR)

The expected thrust for theoretical chemistry in the next decade will be to combine knowledge of fundamental chemical steps/interactions with advances in chemical dynamics, irreversible statistical mechanics, and computer technology to produce simulations of chemical systems with reaction site competition. A sample simulation (using the enzyme…

Explains the purposes, procedures, and standards associated with the National Science Teachers Association certification program. Describes the criteria used for the different grade levels and subject areas. Discusses future plans for the programs. (ML)

Discussed is the idea that scientific illiteracy among scientists lies at the heart of the problems with undergraduate science education. Included is a description of a science literacy course for nonmajors and a proposed list of the most important ideas underlying science. (KR)

Discusses current activities of the National Science Foundation's (NSF) education directorate, including proposed programs to upgrade science and mathematics teaching at the elementary and junior high school levels. Includes comments by Bassam Z. Shakhashiri, NSF's new assistant director for science and engineering education. (JN)

Presented is the background, history, and development of the National Science Foundation's national computer network NSFNET. The growth of the system and the development of new features of the system including high speed communications are discussed. Examples of current uses are provided. (CW)

Discusses some of the worldwide problems associated with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and infection with the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). Calls for programs for the prevention and control of AIDS as an immediate priority in all countries. (TW)