Undergraduate chemistry majors should be encouraged to consider chemistry-based solutions to issues that impact their daily lives as well as the lives of poor and marginalized populations worldwide. Some issues that disproportionately influence historically disadvantaged populations are also directly related to or could be impacted by chemistry.…

The purpose of this article is to provide an example of using real world issues as tools for science teaching and learning. Using real world issues provides students with experiences in learning in problem-based environments and encourages them to apply their content knowledge to solving current and local problems.

Professionals in the environmental domain require cognitive interdisciplinary skills to be able to develop sustainable solutions to environmental problems. We demonstrate that education in environmental systems analysis allows for the development of these skills. We identify three components of cognitive interdisciplinary skills: (1) the ability…

Suggests that college biology programs prepare students to handle biosocial problems by offering courses in many different disciplines and in problem solving. (LS)

Describes a course at the University of Alabama for non-engineers. The course emphasizes interrelationships and differences between engineering and science and the role of engineering in solving society's problems from ancient times to the present day. (Author/TS)

The role of technology throughout history and its relationship to science is discussed. The new frontier of societal technology is considered in terms of human behavior and misbehavior in the face of conflict. (SA)

Discusses the identification of the dimensions of conflict in resource use. Presents some views on broad methodological issues in resource and environmental evaluation. (Author/RT)

Describes how nuclear education has evolved into nuclear age education in an attempt to prepare young people to respond responsibly to world problems. Explains how positive and preventive emphases toward social issues have helped the growing acceptance of nuclear age and peace education. Discusses some remaining problems. (RT)

Reports on a study that focused on the psychological impact of nuclear education curriculum on middle school students. Concluded that instruction about nuclear issues rarely increases students' fear or worry about nuclear war. (RT)