Summarizes a National Research Council report indicating that the Department of Energy (DOE) underfunds basic, exploratory scientific research. Presents a matrix to provide DOE with perspectives for assessing the potential impact of chemistry-focused, basic, long-range, and pioneering research on various energy technology areas. (Author/SK)

Presents examples that recognize young children's technological prowess and support the case for including two significant curriculum perspectives: an intellectual-processes perspective and a social-expression perspective. Contains 34 references. (Author/PVD)

Identifies 11 types of graduate student difficulties and suggests methods to help alleviate them. Difficulties include language barriers, cultural barriers, emotional barriers, lack of commitment, and lack of ability. Also describes certain personality traits that may impede achievement. (AIM)

Factors that may affect success in high school or introductory college physics typically include cognitive structure such as formation of problem-solving schemata, visual-spatial abilities, induced cognitive structures of sex roles, and such external factors as teaching style and curriculum. All are important in passing a physics course as…

Carries on from an article about the context for assessment of problem solving skills. Describes other forms of evidence in problem solving skill besides the options given in the previous article. Lists eight forms of evidence related more directly to the problem solving process. Analyzes the relationship among some of these suggested forms of…

The paper critically appraises the concept-learning and developmental perspectives in science education to show that Pascual-Leone's Theory of Constructive Operators leads to a progressive problem-shift between Piaget's epistemic subject and Pascual-Leone's metasubject. (SM)

The problem is discussed as to whether man's age-old characteristics of selfishness and greed can be sufficiently overcome to avoid any general world war. It is suggested that if people are to come to terms with the problems confronting them, what the schools teach will be of vital importance. (PB)

Reported is an analysis to determine the real costs of undergraduate student projects and to highlight areas in which economies could be made or efficiency improved. (PB)

Describes the specifics of instruction in thermodynamics using a problem-solving technique introduced in a previous issue of this journal. (CS)

Addresses the principles and problems associated with the use of significant figures. Explains uncertainty, the meaning of significant figures, the Simple Rule, the Three Rule, and the 1-5 Rule. Also provides examples of the Rules. (ML)

Discusses issues and problems related to the enhanced capability in science and technology. Areas addressed include opportunities and complications resulting from this capability, global interdependence, commitment to science education, and ways to foster cooperation between colleges and schools. (JN)

Mathematics plays an exceptionally important role in biological education and the history of biology. Ten equations and descriptions of their historical importance are presented to draw students' and faculty's attention to mathematical models that have been intrinsic to many of the significant discoveries in biology in the 20th century. Each…

High school physics, if taught properly, should be accessible to 50% of students rather than the currently estimated 20% of students. Suggests changes that need to be made in course format, including giving plenty of problem-solving help, improving high school texts to conform to principles of learning, and designing a course so that all can…

Describes a variety of projects that were used in a summer program for gifted high school students to help teach biotechnical concepts and applications. Presents six projects utilizing algae as tool for solving problems. Also presents five production-oriented projects with hydroponics and fermentation as research and development themes. (PR)

Reports on the Seventh Annual Conference on Chemical Education which explored the assumption that science courses focus too much on the product of science and not enough on the process. Problem solving was examined as a possible route toward developing the necessary critical-thinking skills. Covers the keynote address, Problems versus Exercises,…