Over the past decade, education literature has extensively discussed collaborative, student-led, and interdisciplinary methodologies. Despite numerous studies on these aspects of education, concrete examples integrating all three elements are scarce. Chemistry and Art, a course developed at Brown University, addresses this gap by integrating all…

The value of service-learning as a high-impact educational practice in college courses is further documented here through client-centered student projects seeking to increase SOLE food-- sustainable, organic, local, and ethically produced--on the Utah State University campus. Honors students enrolled in a Think Tank series of courses in Science,…

In the natural world, learning emerges from the joy of play, experimentation, and inquiry as part of everyday life. However, this kind of informal learning is often difficult to integrate within structured educational curricula. This report describes an educational program that embeds naturalistic learning into formal high school, college, and…

The practical work component offers unique challenges for university science courses. This is even more pertinent in an Open and Distance Learning (ODL) environment like the Bindura University of Science Education's Virtual and Open Distance Learning (VODL) programme. Effective ODL education should be flexible enough to accommodate science…

In this important resource, Dr. Fleming (a noted expert in the field of minority retention) draws on educational evaluations she has developed in the course of her distinguished career. This book analyzes the common factors and the role institutional characteristics play in minority student retention to show what really works in increasing…

Given is information on a federally funded environmental education program based on field experience and community awareness. Problem-solving methods were used to involve students in local environmental issues. Field experiences included trips to the mountains and seashore and community projects in water quality, recycling, and nature trail…

States that real problem solving must become an effective and integral part of education at all levels. Describes the relationship of real problem solving to the USMES class, interdisciplinary education, and the total school program. (GS)

Suggests science programs that are based on gifted students' individual patterns, abilities, and interests. Briefly discusses problems encountered by scientifically gifted girls. (MA)

US students continue to lag behind the rest of the world in science, technology, engineering, and math--taken together, STEM. Even as the US falls further and further behind other countries in these four critical academic areas, not everyone sees it as a crisis. Fortunately, there are those who do. One organization out front on the issue is,…

Describes an approach which integrates experiential learning with the study of subject matter. The foundation of this program is a systems design called SAM, Self-Actualized Model. Presents design details of the program and an initial evaluation. (GS)

Traces the historical development of the university instructional laboratory. Describes the basic components of a problem-oriented laboratory program and identifies four forces that may dictate instructional change in the future. (GS)

This document is intended as a resource and guide to help teachers integrate a problem-centered approach into their curricula. It outlines the typical components of problem-centered mathematics and science activities, and offers practical suggestions, examples, and resources to assist this endeavor. The first section of this document, "What is…

Sensing a need for change in the dentistry curriculum, faculty members from the School of Dentistry of the University of Louisville met with educational and psychological consultants with the purpose of updating the present didactic and organizational program. A Discrepancy Analysis System (DAS), also called Cognitive Dissonance, was chosen to…

Describes the Nehru Science Centre in Bombay (India). Includes comments on the cultural/social factors considered during development of and types of activities/exhibits at the center. The activities and exhibits (focusing on all areas of science and technology) were designed to foster experiences with inquiry and problem-solving. (Author/JN)

Mess Management is considered here as collective problem solving. Describes an example of a program for gifted elementary students emphasizing problem solving skills. A sample strategy is included. (MA)