This report describes a comparison of the effectiveness of two types of instruction on undergraduate students' learning of the concept of force. Findings indicate that students who participated in the Integrated Freshman Year Curriculum for Science, Engineering and Mathematics improved slightly more on the Force Concept Inventory than students who…

Modular scheduling requires that teachers be prepared for all lessons, be available for shop activities, and devote greater attention to checking student progress. (SB)

Analyzes data collected from student and faculty groups which indicate that case method instruction in engineering is of more educational value than other teaching methods. A study to measure changes in students due to case work experience is underway and will be reported on later. (WM)

The Museum of Science and Industry (Chicago) has created a new exhibit, "Technology: Chance or Choice?," which emphasizes the human impact on technology. Development of and techniques used in the exhibit are discussed. The latter include microcomputers placed throughout the exhibit to pose questions about critical issues raised by particular…

The University of Georgia (UGA) biosafety program was initiated in response to requirements for recombinant DNA experiments rather than laboratory-acquired infections. This and other environmental safety programs at UGA are described, considering three of the four recognized levels of biocontainment. A fire extinguisher inspection computer program…

A group of representatives of colleges in western Massachusetts is developing curricula related to nuclear issues. Teaching such issues provides content for promoting liberal arts goals incorporating perspectives of science, engineering and social/political science, and provides opportunities to enlarge students' understanding of the whole domain…

Traditional engineering degree courses no longer adequately or effectively satisfy the needs of industry and society. It is suggested that if engineering is to survive as a profession, engineering education must prepare engineers for much wider roles throughout society than at present. (Author/MSE)

Examines the typewriter keyboard--the major method of information entry for the computer--and describes efforts to rearrange keyboards to improve speed and ease of use. The Montgomery wipe-activated keyboard, based on the frequency of word use, is pictured and explained. (10662 Los Vaqueros Circle, Los Alamitos, CA 90720) (JJD)

Active involvement in society-related issues can elevate junior high school students' interest not only in the problem being solved but also in related scientific concepts. Examples of how scientific concepts and society-related issues can be taught in the same class are presented, focusing on genetic engineering, water shortage, and others.…

National Science Board's fourteenth annual report to Congress indicates that university/industry relationships remained vigorous and varied during the 1960s/1970s, that corporate support of academic research is significantly higher than generally believed and that employee recruitment is an impetus for such alliances. These and other findings from…

Redesign of human-computer interface for users of computerized information systems can make substantial difference in training time, performance speed, error rates, and user satisfaction. Information and computer scientists are using controlled psychologically oriented experimentation, and evaluations during system development and active use to…

The model presented identifies three basic needs which must be met in order to increase our understanding of the user interface in computerized information systems: empirical studies of users' attitudes; systematic summaries and critical analyses of these studies; and an interim set of guidelines for user interface design. (EJS)

Regrouping cars from incoming trains into blocks of cars for outgoing trains is accomplished in railroad "hump" classification yards. Discusses: hardware and software elements of such installations; physical models on which software is based; success in predicting/regulating car speeds; and results of recent research into factors…

The purpose of this study was to assess selected areas of safety instruction in agricultural mechanics conducted at agricultural teacher education programs across the United States. Overall, teacher educators believe their students are competent in safety. However, they also believe that many graduate with insufficient preparation in the area of…

Presents the testimony of Donald McCurdy, president of NSTA, to the subcommittee on science, research, and technology of the U.S. House of Representatives concerning the budget proposed by President Reagan, which if adopted, would end any involvement of NSF in the science education programs in U.S. colleges and universities. (Author/SK)