Announces the establishment of two research centers by the National Science Foundation under its new Minority Research Centers of Excellence (MRCE) program. Describes the goals of these centers at Meharry Medical College (Nashville, TN) and at Howard University (Washington, DC). (TW)

Reports on a study in which two spatial tests were given to science and engineering majors and to students in nursing and agriculture at Purdue University (Indiana). Scores from the tests consistently contributed a small but significant amount of success on measures of performance in chemistry. (TW)

Describes an experiment involving data acquisition by a computer, digital signal transmission from the computer to a digital logic circuit and signal interpretation by this circuit. The system is being used at the Illinois Institute of Technology. Discusses the fundamental concepts involved. Demonstrates the alarm experiment as it is used in…

Discusses demand for chemists and chemical engineers in 1986 and the first half of 1987. Examines the employment outlook by degree, time of year, industry, and institution. Makes predictions for the next year. Examines the starting salaries for B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. chemists. Discusses inequities by degree, experience, and gender. (CW)

Describes the development and validation of a 56-item science and engineering career interest survey for seventh- through ninth-grade students. The survey includes questions on occupational activities, selection of occupations, and an internal verification scale. Results indicate significant differences in career interest for boys and girls. (DH)

This investigation of library employees who spend significant portion of time in online computer interaction provides information on intellectual, psychological, social, and physical aspects of their work. Long- and short-term effects of special libraries are identified and solutions to "technostress" problems are suggested. (16…

Points out the need to provide engineers with training in human relations. Describes the process of developing a document defining the problem and steps to be taken toward solution, submitted to students for their evaluation. (JM)

Use of computer keyboards requires repetitive movements that may cause "overuse injuries" among students. Education on computer literacy must include warning of these negative side effects and must instill safe operating habits among students. (10 references) (CJH)

Discusses topics and issues related to government role in undergraduate science and engineering research, considering: (1) foreign students; (2) precollege education; (3) National Science Foundation funding activities; (4) faculty participation; (5) hearings on education; (6) budget reallocation; and (7) partnerships and cooperative arrangements.…

Although the crisis in precollege science and mathematics education has passed, various efforts are underway to improve the quality of education in these areas and to resolve existing problems. Several of these efforts are discussed, including the role of the National Science Foundation, industry role, and others. (JN)

The "Research Vessel Westward" provides a sea-going research laboratory for students from various disciplines to learn oceanography concepts and research techniques while earning university credit. Descriptions of equipment, organizational structure, and student research responsibilities are presented. (DH)

FEMME (Females in Engineering, Methods, Motivation, Experience) is a pre-college summer program for 25 bright and gifted ninth-grade females who like mathematics and science. This program, now in its fourth year, is described, providing information about program goals, operation, trips, student laboratory experiments, and topics discussed by guest…

Discusses factors that should be considered in selecting video display screens and furniture and designing work spaces for computerized instruction that will provide optimal conditions for student health and learning efficiency. Use of work patterns found to be least stressful by computer workers is also suggested. (MBR)

Hardware for computer-assisted learning is discussed in three papers. Two papers report on projects using computer graphics, one for teaching structural analysis to university students and the other to teach graph concepts at the secondary level. Guidelines for selecting microcomputers focus on analyzing applications and matching them with…

Engineering Practices Introductory Course Sequence (EPICS) is designed to introduce freshmen and sophomores to skills of self education and open-ended problem solving so that high levels of competence can be obtained. Rationale for the program, description of theme projects (including management and instruction), and pilot program evaluation are…