This USMES unit challenges students to find ways to help themselves and/or others to adapt to new situations. The teacher resource book for the Orientation 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"…

This USMES unit challenges students to build a burglar alarm which will give adequate warning. The teacher resource book for the Burglar Alarm Design 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…

This USMES unit challenges students to find out what is the best information to put in a description so that a person can be quickly and easily identified. The teacher resource book for the Describing People unit contains five sections. The first section describes the USMES approach to student-initiated investigations of real problems, including a…

This USMES unit challenges students to invent a new soft drink that would be popular and produced at a low cost. The teacher resource book for the Soft Drink Design 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…

Presented is a description of the Education and Experience in Engineering (E3) Program at the Illinois Institute of Technology. Included are the objectives, how the program works, faculty, dissemination of E3 information, integration of science and technology into the E3 program, and the integration of liberal arts and engineering. A chapter is…

Since the great need in elementary education is to help children understand the social world in which they live, the great need in the education of elementary teachers is to help them link social science themes with children's experiences. The objectives of the new social science teacher education program are to develop the ability of prospective…

This study examines undergraduate non-science majors' perceptions of a cooperative-collaborative science pedagogy employed in a course on global change that was one course in a pilot project of a newly-designed environmental science program. Non-traditional evaluation tools such as portfolios, focus groups, group assessments, and self-assessments…

A new medical curriculum at the University of Newcastle, New South Wales, is described. Student knowledge, understanding, and skills are developed through the study of a sequence of clinical problems integrated with appropriate practical and clinical activities. Such an innovative curriculum implies different roles for academic staff. (Author/MLW)

The case method of teaching in the liberal arts is recommended as a means of reconciling the college curriculum with modern vocational needs for education and problem-solving skills. The method is student-centered, encourages group interaction and cooperation, and relates learning to experience. (MSE)

Describes the experiences of a secondary mathematics education student as a MATHCOUNTS coach for sixth graders. Explains the program, coaching duties, and how the approach evolved in trying to shift student focus from finding the right answer to finding a logical approach to solving problems. Discusses the experience in terms of the National…

Examined the effects of a 4-week interdisciplinary unit on middle school students' problem-solving ability. Subjects, 459 students in 4 Midwestern school districts, were taught by 6 teams of teachers. Pre- and posttest results indicated that students identified as formal operational thinkers made significant gains in their problem-solving ability,…

Gives historical account of research and practices associated with precollege science laboratories. Described three social contexts of research on science laboratories: separation, interaction, and partnership. Argues that more partnerships are needed to continue improvement to the science laboratory, suggesting that future partnerships will…

Data from 148 students at 4 demonstration sites (Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Colorado) where math, science, and technology education were integrated show that grade level, part-time work experience, and enthusiasm influenced higher order learning in a multidisciplinary project. (SK)

Included are five activities which focus on using and interpreting data about popcorn. The integration of mathematics with science, health and social studies is stressed. Each activity includes procedures, a reproducible activity sheet, and several suggestions for extension activities. (CW)

Reviews the history and development of the "Our Working World" elementary textbook series, an example of the New Social Studies reform movement of the 1960s and 1970s. Describes the Organic Curriculum, which integrated the fundamental ideas of five social science disciplines. Maintains that implementing the K-6 program all at once was an…