Differences in the kinds of knowledge validation processes, truth criteria, and other factors associated with knowledge production are presented for five disciplines (physics, engineering, psychology, education, and English literature), and implications for improving instruction are examined. It is concluded that faculty must understand the…

A teacher at Upland Hills School (Royal Oaks, Michigan) describes how he and groups of seventh and eighth graders built a 175-foot bridge across a gully between the school and an outdoor environmental education area. Students received basic design and engineering instruction at a nearby university, and parents and community provided support and…

The results of examining approximately 850 natural science, medical, and engineering journals were that 132 have at least 1 policy statement concerning deposition of sequence or structure data in a data bank before publication; deposition or sharing of research materials upon request; and availability of supplementary publication services. (65…

Discusses online resources on ergonomics for librarians seeking to improve working environments or planning for staff and public work areas. A sidebar lists electronic addresses for 10 online sites for information including: World Wide Web sites, the Library of Congress gopher, archives on avoiding typing injuries, and electronic mailing lists.…

Described is a project where students gain experience in handling large volumes of hazardous materials, process start up and shut down, equipment failures, operational variations, scaling up, equipment cleaning, and run-time scheduling while working in a modern pilot plant. Included are the system design, experimental procedures, and results. (KR)

An adequate supply of engineers is essential to maintain a competitive position in a highly sophisticated global economy. Population dynamics and student career choice trends are discussed. Actions to alleviate the predicted shortage of bachelors and doctoral engineers in the United States are included. (KR)

Discussed is the recruitment and demand for civil engineering students in Germany. Described is the German engineering education system and the possibility of a joint-venture building industry between the two German states. (KR)

Reports the results of two formative research studies conducted during the design process for a new, portable trackball-like computer input device for small children. The findings are discussed in terms of the design of appropriate interfaces for young children, and what can be learned from formative research on products in development. (25…

A study of students formerly enrolled (n=198) and currently enrolled (n=282) in an undergraduate engineering program found that students' present characteristics and situations were more predictive of persistence than past or future factors; and few differences between men and women emerged. The best overall predictor of persistence was grade…

Results of a year-long study of doctorate production among minority individuals with nontraditional backgrounds suggest that university officials who want to increase minority doctoral starts should look beyond the baccalaureate graduating classes to both older and younger students. (SLD)

The results of an investigation concerned with sequential reasoning in interpreting the current flow in d.c. electric circuits are presented. Analysis of the results of a questionnaire completed by 236 college sophomores shows the presence of a common misunderstanding based on a "local" interpretation of the current flow. A copy of the…

Describes the Sacred Mountains Scholars Program, a collaborative training program of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Northern Arizona University that gives American Indian undergraduates the opportunity to explore engineering, business, and space science careers during summer on-the-job…

An investigation of alternative methods of managing lower division graphics courses is described. Nonexam grading time was reduced to nearly zero, creating time for professional growth, proposal development, and meaningful research. Grade profiles and attitudes of students taking the altered course are discussed. (KR)

Reviews of the disciplines of law, medicine, engineering, and math/science teaching in Australia examined five issues concerning continuing professional education: (1) importance; (2) purpose; (3) relationship to preservice training; (4) mandatory/voluntary options; and (5) delivery. (SK)

Honest errors appearing in textbooks, articles, and instructor-generated assignments are used as meaningful vehicles of instruction. Missing information, corrected printing errors, deliberate errors, and difficult written passages are discussed as sources of errors. How to use errors in assignments, classroom examples, examination questions, and…