This document reports on the 1974-75 Unified Science and Mathematics for Elementary Schools (USMES) evaluation investigating the cognitive and affective responses of USMES students to this interdisciplinary, process curriculum. It includes the results of a pre-post control group design to assess the curriculum's effects on students' basic skill…

Active involvement in society-related issues can elevate junior high school students' interest not only in the problem being solved but also in related scientific concepts. Examples of how scientific concepts and society-related issues can be taught in the same class are presented, focusing on genetic engineering, water shortage, and others.…

Examines the educational challenges created by complex health care delivery systems and the need to train analysts and problem solvers to work effectively within these systems. Illustrates, through a course description, how cognitive and experiential learning approaches can provide the student with a bridge between acquiring technical skills and…

Presents the topic of linking the presence of life on Earth with the chemical evolution of the universe as a whole. The approach involves examining issues related to the biochemical unity of living matter and the chemical evolution of the galaxy. (DDR)

Desktop Adventures are computer-based scenarios incorporating the standards of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics for practicing problem solving across the curriculum suitable for whole class or cooperative group instruction. Reviews problem solving steps and approaches and describes introducing, creating, and extending desktop…

Explains that European engineering students are not well prepared to integrate socio-economic and environmental issues efficiently into their future professional activities. Argues that necessary changes include a more interdisciplinary and systems-oriented approach to problems and better training in communication skills. Provides an example of an…

Use of problem-based learning in a large upper-division general education class at McMaster University (Canada) provides opportunities for students to identify and practice skills for inquiry into societal problems and solutions. Classroom techniques and processes preserve the essence of problem-based learning despite the fact that the class is…

Recommends using the Storypath method for introducing social studies concepts into the primary grades. Storypath introduces children to an imaginary environment (a neighborhood) and, working in teams, students provide details and people. Eventually they face a problem (litter), then bring the story and the problem to some kind of resolution. (MJP)

Presents two models of group decision making that integrate mathematical, multicriteria models with behavioral problem-solving concepts. The results of an empirical test that used the Business Management Laboratory simulation game are reported, and the performance of the two integrated models is compared with the performance of a nonintegrated…

Uses a discrepant event to teach students about volume and area. Outlines directions for class demonstration, needed materials, questions, a story problem, and related activities to perform this assignment. (Author/RT)

In this interdisciplinary unit for grade six, kids' natural fascination with heroes is channeled to a consideration of the values and actions needed to solve global problems. Students are exposed to positive, nonviolent role models, creative thinking, problem solving, and creating artwork that expresses thoughts on environmental issues. (LZ)

Describes a method of teaching geology and scientific writing to nonscience students that combines active integration of lecture, reading, and laboratory materials with field observations into a writing assignment on a real scientific problem. The writing assignment is completed in stages: a prospectus, a detailed report outline, a bibliography, a…

Discusses "connectionism," an alternative learning model wherein meaning resides in the function of the whole state of a network, rather than being localizable in certain symbols or areas. Topics discussed include integration with other learning models; the culture of the mathematics classroom; and characteristics of alternative…

Introduces the Envirobox Project that involves six classes from diverse regions of the United States where each class sends a shoebox including environmental samples to others. Explains the planning and preparation procedures of the project. Uses an interdisciplinary approach in the project which incorporates language arts, mathematics, social…

A study examined the teaming efforts of a master-level, preservice, transdisciplinary team as reflected in a conversation during a planning meeting. The use of problem solving, conflict avoidance, role expansion, and role release techniques are described. Implications are discussed for intervention teams in the schools and preservice preparation…