Lab components of undergraduate science courses typically have students complete highly directed cookbook-like laboratory activities. These experiences rarely engage students in a meaningful manner and do not accurately convey what the work of science entails. With funding from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI), we have created more…

A collaborative of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) and education faculty developed a STEM certificate aimed at elementary education majors. A four-phase process model was used to create and evaluate courses. The certificate is comprised of three interdisciplinary, team-taught, lab-based courses: Environmental Biology,…

Reviews events leading to the Congressional controversy of funding the precollege implementation program of the National Science Foundation (NSF) and attempts to identify some issues related to NSF involvement in the implementation of curriculum projects that merit further study by those responsible for developing long-range educational policy.…

Focuses on the response of the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the congressional authorization committees to the NSF sponsored precollege science programs. The article also summarizes and analyzes some of the results of the survey conducted by the Research Triangle Institute (RTI), North Carolina. (HM)

Discusses the current status and major issues affecting the quality and size of the human resources pool of scientists, engineers, and technical personnel. Indicates the role and strategies the National Science Foundation plans to take to address the deficiences. (RT)