On a biennial basis since 1986, the National Science Foundation (NSF) has collected data on issues related to Science and Engineering (S&E) research facilities at U.S. colleges, universities, and biomedical institutions. This report presents the major findings from the 1998 survey and provides a summary of the changes that took place between…

In this activity, students experiment and observe the similarities and differences between human-made objects and nature in small groups. Students compare the function and structure of hollow bones with drinking straws, bird beaks and tool pliers, and bat wings and airplane wings. A classroom discussion can be held to discuss similarities and…

Towers have been a part of developing society for centuries. In this activity, students investigate towers that serve a variety of purposes. Student groups build three types of towers, engineering them to hold an egg one foot high for 15 seconds. This activity requires a 60-minute time period for completion. (Author/SOE)

In this activity, students learn about composite materials, tension as a force, and how they act on structural components through the design and testing of a strip of plastic chair webbing. This activity requires a 60-minute time period for completion. (Author/NB)

This book describes the TYC21 project (Two-Year Colleges in the Twenty-First Century: Breaking Down Barriers), which provided a framework to implement reform in science, engineering, and physics education at two-year colleges via the cooperative efforts of faculty in cross-educational activities. The project sought to increase the quality of…

This document reports on a workshop held January 4-5, 1996. Participants of this conference represented the areas of science, mathematics, engineering, and technology (SMET) education and attempted to develop questions regarding systemic education reform. Contents include: (1) "Introduction"; (2) "Evaluation Questions…

This paper reports on two key elements of successful online teaching: learner-centric design and harmonization of content and facilities. The paper shows how these two crucial requirements could be fulfilled with great success in a project that involves a non-computing related subject matter (civil engineering) and 31 educators from five European…

The problem of low graduation rates for diverse students in engineering has many causes. Low retention rates for all students in the first two years of an engineering program is a significant problem which must be addressed if universities are going to increase the number of graduates in engineering programs. Faculty and administrators agree, not…

Three-dimensional visualization skills are critically important to success in engineering careers. Unfortunately, studies have shown that the 3-D spatial visualization skills of women engineering students lag significantly behind those of their male counterparts. This paper examines gender differences in background and in visualization ability for…

The Scientists and Engineers Statistical Data System (SESTAT) is a comprehensive and integrated system of information about scientists and engineers in the United States. It comprises data collected through three national sample surveys supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF): The National Survey of College Graduates, the National…

This issue brief presents data illustrating the diversity across federal agency support in the science and engineering fields as emphasized in their funding of both academic research and science and engineering graduate students. Funding data show that changes in the balance of academic research funding across agencies are likely to affect both…

The National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering (NACME) mentors underrepresented students and encourages their significant achievements in science, mathematics, and engineering. NACME develops many of its mentoring strategies through its Corporate Scholars Program (CSP), a comprehensive scholarship program that links engineering…

This report is part of an annual national survey that examines salaries of full-time teaching faculty in 54 selected disciplines. Data for the study as a whole were collected from 305 public and 403 private institutions for the baseline year of 1997-1998 and the trend year of 1999-2000. This portion of the study covers salary data for faculty in…

This pocket guide presents data concerning: (1) National Research and Development (R&D) Funding Patterns; (2) Academic R&D; (3) R&D in U.S. industry; (4) Education of Scientists and Engineers; (5) Working Scientists and Engineers; (6) Public Attitudes toward Science and Technology (S&T); and (7) International S&T Trends. (YDS)

The revised approach to teaching and learning math in the United States emphasizes the mental processes involved in doing math and focuses partly on children's prior knowledge, out-of-school experiences, and informal mathematics knowledge. This engaging approach can function to encourage children to select one of the mathematical sciences as an…