This paper reports on a major national study of higher education science and engineering learning communities in New Zealand. The scope of the research project along with a description of the methodology and method used in the study together with rationale for the study and research approach adopted are provided here. Details of the theoretical…

Studies have documented the increased number of women faculty in the academy; however in areas that are historically male dominated--law, medicine, and engineering--the numbers remain dismal. This article describes the real situation of female professors in the academic disciplines of law, medicine, and engineering. This article also provides…

Using data on upper-division students in the University of California system, we show that two distinct cultures of engagement exist on campus. The culture of engagement in the arts, humanities and social sciences focuses on interaction, participation, and interest in ideas. The culture of engagement in the natural sciences and engineering focuses…

Two major reform efforts in K-12 science education have taken place during the past 50 years. The first was the 1950-1970 curriculum reform efforts motivated by the launching of Sputnik and sponsored by the newly formed National Science Foundation (NSF) in the United States and by the Nuffield Foundation in the United Kingdom. The signature goal…

Inquiry-based learning (IBL) is an approach that could be used by undergraduate educators that appears to meet the suggestions by Dewey to integrate students' interests and experiences with content knowledge. The IBL approach has been described as "a range of strategies used to promote learning through students' active, and increasingly…

Comparisons between participants and non-participants in supplemental instruction classes at San Francisco State University over a six-year period show positive impacts in terms of increased student performance and progression through subsequent courses in a sequence, despite the lower academic indicators of the supplemental instruction…

Calls for improved outcomes in U.S. science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education are frequent and insistent. In 2009, the Commission on Mathematics and Science Education, convened by the Institute for Advanced Study and Carnegie Corporation of New York, concluded that: "Knowledge and skills from science, technology, engineering…

It is widely acknowledged that sustainable development is a long-term goal, which both individuals and institutions (and countries!) need to pursue. This important theme is characterized by an intrinsic complexity, since it encompasses ecological or environmental considerations on the one hand, and economic matters, social influences and political…

Instructors in electrical and computer engineering and in computer science have developed innovative methods to teach digital logic circuits. These methods attempt to increase student learning, satisfaction, and retention. Although there are readily accessible and accepted means for measuring satisfaction and retention, there are no widely…

The General National Vocational Qualification (GNVQ) in engineering was piloted in about 100 centers and with over 3,000 students in British further education colleges during 1994-95. A small-scale project monitored the introduction of the GNVQ in engineering in eight colleges: three each in the north and south and two in the Midlands. Findings…

This document records the oral and written testimony of witnesses who addressed the issue of how to strengthen research and education in engineering design and manufacturing at U.S. universities. The testimony includes a review of recommendations from two studies of the National Research Council and of the plans and programs of the National…

As part of its General Information Programme, the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has for many years concerned itself with training in the use of information by preparing guides and organizing meetings and seminars on the subject. There are now an enormous number of specialized information users whose…

This paper illuminates experiences related to introducing finite element methods (FEM) in mechanical and civil engineering courses at the University of Camaguey in Cuba and provides discussion on using FEM in postgraduate courses for industry engineers. Background information on the introduction of FEM in engineering teaching is focused on…

Presented are reports on trends and probable future developments in eight selected areas of basic science and engineering. These reports are: "The Genetic Program of Complex Organisms" (Maxine F. Singer); "The Molecular and Genetic Technology of Plants" (Joseph E. Varner); "Cell Receptors for Hormones and…

The data presented in this summary (released in advance of their publication) are derived from four surveys of academic science and engineering (S/E) activities conducted anually by the National Science Foundation's Division of Science Resources Studies, Universities, and Nonprofit Institutions Studies Groups: (1) Survey of Scientific and…