Investigated problem- and solution-related activity of (n=28) fourth and fifth graders in ill-defined and open-ended settings. In the course of their negotiations, students demonstrated an uncanny competence to frame and reframe problems and solutions and to decide courses of actions of different complexities in spite of the ambiguous nature of…

Discusses the Kettering ignition system used on all vehicles for about a half century and transistorized automotive ignition systems. (JRH)

Groundwater remedial actions are highly complex projects. During the past 10 years, many remedial actions have begun, but very few have been successfully completed. This paper describes the complexity of groundwater remediation and offers an alternative management approach involving systems movement successfully utilized at a site in the…

Structured Industrial Practice Studies is a work-based learning approach in three parts: (1) briefing, during which students set objectives to meet learning outcomes; (2) industry visit; and (3) debriefing, in which students review learning, reflect on experience in light of theory, and are assessed via written reports and/or oral presentations.…

Federal engineer tells engineering students how to become federal engineers and discusses the potential rewards and disadvantages of a civil service career. Notes that federal jobs are available for engineering graduates who are knowledgeable in the search process and who are persistent in seeking out such jobs. (NB)

The Human Genome Project, an effort to sequence all the DNA of a human cell, is needed to better understand the behavior of chromosomes during cell division, with the ultimate goal of understanding the specific genes contributing to specific diseases and disabilities. (MSE)

The perspectives that distinguish engineers and the public they serve and the educational implications of those perspectives are discussed. The philosophies of utilitarianism, ethical egoism, positivism, and idealism are presented in terms of engineers and the public. (KR)

Engineers need to develop leadership skills as well as technical knowledge to contribute to industrial innovation. Engineering education should be based on an industry needs-driven model of innovation and technological development. (SK)

A cooperative project between a high school engineering-technology class and a private business resulted in a real-world engineering-design project that was taken to regional and state competitions. (JOW)

Focuses on the current situation of engineering education in Israel, the debate over ways to manage it, and the prospects that a balanced education policy can bring for socioeconomic development. (Author/CCM)

Investigated the use of mathematical programming techniques to generate parallel test forms with passages and items based on item-response theory (IRT) using the Fundamentals of Engineering Examination. Generated four parallel test forms from the item bank of almost 1,100 items. Comparison with human-generated forms supports the mathematical…

Measures the impact of pre-job training programs on subsequent earnings of trainees, particularly engineers employed by high-tech firms in Taiwan. Concludes that public training programs have no impact on earnings but participation in private training programs does have a significantly positive effect on earnings, and compares results with…

Describes four organizations that have successfully planned and executed several partnering activities that have resulted in an increase in the enrollment and retention of students, particularly women and minority undergraduates. (Author/CCM)

Discusses types of university-provided workplace learning; identifies problems posed by employee turnover and lack of equipment. Suggests that the problem of too few students to have a cost-effective program can be solved by clustering program offerings for small businesses. (Contains 25 references.) (SK)

Describes the Global Perspective Program of the Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) which addresses the problem of preparing engineers for global careers through a project program. Discusses developing the project programs in Asia, working with Bangkok's recycling needs, and chemical process safety in Taiwan. (JRH)