In this article, we discuss the use of client-driven projects--projects that are posed by business, government, and non-profit organizations and based upon real problems facing the organization. Although client-driven projects have long been used in business and engineering education, their use in the mathematics classroom is rare. Client-driven…

Teacher educators routinely encounter middle grades teachers who like to include more environmental literacy in their curricula. These educators of children in grades four through nine believe that it might be considered "fluff," take away from the class time needed to meet varying state mandates or standards, be difficult to implement, or all of…

The purpose of this symposium was to provide a forum for the interchange of state of the art mathematics and science education teaching in two Southeast South Dakota National Science Foundation Statewide Systemic Initiative projects. Presentations include: (1) "To Get This Car Moving, We Will Have to Put It in Gear" (Delmar Janke); (2)…

This book is intended to introduce teachers to the practices of "environmental education," and is the first in a series published by the Institute for Environmental Education. The series focus is on problem-solving in the community as the subject matter for environmental education. Problem-solving is used as a process of investigatory…

The CHEMATH course at Edmonds Community College integrates instruction in algebra and chemistry. The course emphasizes problem-solving techniques and relies on active learning through the use of structured group process techniques. CHEMATH is team taught by science and math faculty and is intended primarily for students planning to major in…

There are many reasons for studying Antarctica. It is the key element in the world's climate. Some of the secrets of the earth's past are locked beneath its icecap. It has a fascinating physical environment and a unique and fragile ecosystem. It is a frontier of scientific research and technological development. Its history is an important and…

This pre-school through grade 12 environmental education learning continuum was designed to help educators with a systematic method which develops an environmental ethic among students. It consists of: (1) preschool through third-grade activities (which stress environmental awareness and sensitivity); (2) intermediate level activities (which give…

Intended to introduce educators in secondary schools and colleges to discussion promoting economic literacy for all students, this paper offers a critique of the typical economics curriculum, a rationale for economics education, and a working definition of economic literacy. The first section reviews and critiques current curriculum planning in…

This publication contains two miniunits to help students in grades 7-12 build skills for the future. The exercises can also be adapted for use in grades 4-6. Each of the miniunits contains several exercises to build specific skills. Miniunit One, "The Arithmetic of Growth," deals with two concepts--exponential growth and doubling time. These two…

Resources that will help secondary students become more effective problem solvers are provided. The book describes techniques or tools and an overall strategy for solving problems. Throughout the book there are exercises that enable the student to practice the techniques. The first chapter provides an overview of the problem solving process.…

This paper describes the use of undergraduate materials multidisciplinary research projects as a means of addressing the growing industrial demand for graduates experienced in working in multidisciplinary teams. It includes a detailed description of a project in which a multidisciplinary team of chemical engineering and civil engineering students…

Teachers can use these learning activities to teach about the future in elementary and secondary social studies, science, math, language arts, and arts courses. The purpose of the activities is to help students practice creative-thinking skills, investigate problems relevant to their personal futures, experience the concept of change, and evaluate…

Perspectives on interdisciplinary research are considered in terms of project planning, the choice of problem-solving approach, the research field, project organization, informal organization, and integration of knowledge. Interdisciplinary studies were investigaged through following a number of research projects by means of field trips,…

This USMES unit challenges students to find the best way to learn or teach someone else certain things. The teacher resource book for this unit contains five sections. The first section describes the USMES approach to student-initiated investigations of real problems, including a discussion of the nature of the USMES "challenges" and of classroom…

This USMES unit challenges students to collect and maintain a variety of animals in the classroom. The teacher resource book for the School Zoo unit contains five sections. The first section describes the USMES approach to student-initiated investigations of real problems, including a discussion of the nature of the USMES "challenges" and of…