Discusses the feasibility of using fermenters in secondary school laboratories. Includes discussions of equipment, safety, and computer interfacing. Describes how a simple fermenter could be used to simulate large-scale processes. Concludes that, although teachers and technicians will require additional training, the prospects for biotechnology in…

Presents two studies designed to determine whether middle school-aged children's attitudes and content achievement are different when they take a technology course with their parents or with their peers. Indicates that parents have little affect in helping their children learn about technology or attitudes about computers. (CW)

Reviews six software packages for use with school age children ranging from grade 3 to grade 12. Includes "The Microcomputer Based Lab Project: Motion, Sound"; "Genetics"; "Geologic History"; "The Microscope Simulator"; and "Wiz Works" all for Apple II and "Reading for Information: Level…

Advances four propositions in an effort to provide a frame of reference for a new generation of interactive engineering graphics scholars. Suggests the integration of traditional engineering graphics with new production tools such as computer-aided design drafting. Proposes that graphics problem-solving educational opportunities be maximized. (CW)

Demonstrates one method for finding parallel tangents to a cylinder based on geometric properties of the three dimensional representation of the cylinders. Uses rotational transformations to obtain a three dimensional view. Provides a starting point for those studying geometric methods as a lead into computer assisted drafting. (CW)

Questions the differences between computer science and computer engineering. Reviews the body of knowledge pertaining to both fields. Asserts that they are essentially the same, and that computer science is a genuine intellectual discipline. (TW)

Contains six abstracts of papers from the National Educational Computing Conference of 1986. Topics of the papers focus on the effects of teacher involvement, computer programs in applied mathematics and physics, microcomputer labs in science, graphing misconceptions, science simulations, and mastery learning with computers. (ML)

The science community has been trying to use computers in teaching for many years. There has been much conformity in how this was to be achieved, and the wheel has been re-invented again and again as enthusiast after enthusiast has "done their bit" towards getting computers accepted. Computers are now used by science undergraduates (as well as…

The 15 conference papers in this report address a variety of issues such as computer applications in mechanics and optics, three-dimensional representation in physics teaching, computers in the physics laboratory, information technologies, the perceptual approach in physics education, improving students' conceptual understanding in physics, using…

This study describes cognitive and social aspects of children's development of scientific literacy in a Schools For Thought (SFT) classroom. SFT is an educational reform project that applies cognitive research about the active, reflective, and social nature of learning into classroom practice. Participants were fourth graders from a…

Four issues of this newsletter on information technology and disabilities (ITD) contain the following articles: "Building an Accessible CD-ROM Reference Station" (Rochelle Wyatt and Charles Hamilton); "Development of an Accessible User Interface for People Who Are Blind or Vision Impaired as Part of the Re-Computerisation of Royal Blind Society…

This document consists of all issues/pages of the electronic journal "Information Technology and Disabilities" published during 1996, i.e., a total of 13 ITD articles: (1) "New CSUF (California State University at Fullerton) Braille Transcription Center Promotes Access to Postsecondary Instructional Materials for the California State University…

This paper reports on experiences conducting and evaluating MentorNet, a nationwide structured electronic mentoring (ementoring) program that pairs women engineering students, related science students, and math students with industry professionals and provides support to aid the development of year-long ementoring relationships. MentorNet's goal…

This case study describes a distance learning experience from the point of view of a first time instructor and the students (elementary school teachers) enrolled in a graduate-level science education course at Morehead State University (Kentucky). Many of the students were from isolated areas in Appalachia. The paper concludes that participants…

Science education standards urge less emphasis on memorizing decontextualized scientific facts and more emphasis on students investigating the everyday world and developing deep understanding from their inquiries. This paper describes work in developing science curriculum materials that support current reform movements. It includes assumptions for…