Describes how teachers can use wheels of tricycles, bicycles, and trains to stimulate children with mathematics, relative position, and engineering concepts. Techniques are offered for measuring circumference of a bicycle wheel, gear ratios, and pedal wheel circumferences. Comparative data are given for various sized wheels. (Author/SA)

Describes an attempt on the part of an engineering faculty to develop problem-solving skills in its undergraduate students. It includes a course description in problem solving. (SA)

Details a project in which successful DNA analysis techniques were developed by students and their teacher in a rural school. Focuses on a study of sage grouse. (DDR)

Reports on the advances of one institution in integrating design across the undergraduate engineering curriculum. Design education is treated as a developmental process to be practiced during each year of the program. Presents examples of design work from courses in each year to illustrate the variety of design problems used to incorporate design…

The results of an investigation concerned with sequential reasoning in interpreting the current flow in d.c. electric circuits are presented. Analysis of the results of a questionnaire completed by 236 college sophomores shows the presence of a common misunderstanding based on a "local" interpretation of the current flow. A copy of the…

A demonstration used in a heat and material balances class that explains how a reusable heat pack works is described. An initial homework problem or exam question is provided with its solution. A discussion of the solution is included. (KR)

Describes the interactions and applications of three models of learning: Bloom's taxonomy, the Jungian or Myers-Brigg's Typology, and William Perry's model of attitude toward learning. (PR)

A great deal of similarity exists between engineering and technology education. Many schools and state education administrators are working to bring engineering principles and problem-solving approaches into the technology education classroom. More and more, technology education is viewed as a breeding ground for tomorrow's new crop of engineers.…

Problem-based learning (PBL) is an instructional methodology placing primary emphasis on students solving realistic problems in a team-oriented environment. In this article, authors discuss using PBL to integrate a language for specific purposes (LSP) track into an undergraduate biological engineering curriculum as a way to prepare students for an…

The use of numerical simulations to design and analyze new products requires both conceptual and operational knowledge. This paper describes COMPANION: an intelligent multimedia system for vocational training used by engineers and technicians. A key concept in terms of training methodology is that of "situated learning," or continuous…

A 3-year project was designed to increase students' abilities to perform competently as professional engineers. The project sought to infuse into existing courses concern for, practice with, and development of three competencies critical to professional success: problem-solving, communication, and value clarification. Eight elementary and advanced…

Models of the motion of an object through space are discussed. The material begins with the simplest view possible in which gravity is the only force examined. Discussion progresses to an examination of the drag force, which is the resistive air force of the wind. Suggestions for further improvements are made at the conclusion of the presentation.…

A one day course was developed to train and inform working scientists and engineers in the most direct and efficient means of seeking and acquiring scientific and technical information related to their day-to-day professional activities. The course was given three times to groups of forty Federally-employed scientists and engineers in the middle…

Offers perspectives and specific ways of developing and nurturing critical and creative problem-solving skills with engineering students. Provides examples of exercises and approaches that aim in stimulating creativity and in providing understanding of course material. (ML)

Compares engineering and nonscience students studying energy concepts in two separate courses. Considers their approaches to solving problems, their views on personal participation in "sociological" solutions to the energy problems, and other areas. Implications for engineering education are addressed. (JN)