This article provides abstracts of 24 recent books, journal articles, and reports on science education, focusing on students with disabilities, gifted students, gifted girls, and summer science programs. (DB)

This report is the based on a 10-year study of the activities developed under a National Science Foundation (NSF) Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) grant to a collaborative of institutions from the State University of New York. The goals of LSAMP are to recruit and retain under-represented minority students in the STEM…

Despite the growing popularity of robotics competitions such as FIRST LEGO League, robotics activities are typically not found in regular K-12 classrooms. We speculate that, among other reasons, limited adoption is due to the lack of empirical evidence demonstrating the effect of robotics activities on curricular goals. This paper presents a mixed…

The article summarizes methodology and results of tests given to 30 13-year-old students who were nominated by their six schools as scientifically talented, for a summer science enrichment course at Nene College, England. Reported are children's ideas about the "ideal" classroom, the "ideal" teacher, and the "ideal"…

A high school senior describes her adventures as part of an eight-week glacier expedition in Alaska and British Columbia. Also includes information on how to obtain unique summer enrichment opportunities for teachers and students. (ZWH)

We report on an outcomes assessment of the Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) Program at Emory University in Atlanta, GA. Using follow-up survey data and academic transcripts, we gauge SURE's impact on levels of interest in, preparedness for, and actual pursuit of graduate study and professional careers in the sciences for the…

Describes a six-week summer science institute for providing secondary students with research experience conducted at East Carolina University. (SL)

The School of Education at the University of Missouri-Kansas City is addressing the urban teacher retention challenge through its Institute for Urban Education (IUE). IUE focuses on recruiting individuals from underrepresented populations who have a commitment to their urban communities. Its curriculum is distinguished by five features: (1) an…

Prospective physics researchers do not get enough background and sophistication in physics at the undergraduate level in a college with no research program. Authors describe an enrichment program for such students that takes place during two summers of an MS degree program. (PS)

Review of the record of the National Science Foundation in Improving and updating the qualifications of science teachers. (Editor)

Considered are advantages of summer science programs limited to young high school women. Same sex courses are seen to eliminate unconscious gender bias in instruction and counter tendencies for female students to be less involved in science, mathematics, and computer activities. Four specific programs are briefly described. (DB)

To enhance scientific literacy in the general public efforts are needed that both inspire and engage the learner. Often such efforts are provided through school programs or science learning centers, however, in many rural communities such resources are unavailable. Alternate strategies are needed to provide individuals with quality educational…

For almost twenty-five years, North Carolina State University has helped to coordinate a state-wide Mathematics and Science Education Network Pre-College Program that serves disadvantaged youth in grades six through twelve. The university-school partnership includes middle school and high school academic enrichment in math, science, and…

After attending a four-week summer training course in science teaching, a sample of 129 Jordanese secondary school science teachers showed no over-all significant change in their attitude toward science. Professional inservice training was found to be positively related to the teachers' change in attitude, while their level of education had a…