Discusses the mission of the National Science Foundation (NSF) in the context of a national strategy for science and mathematics education. Specifies the agenda of the organization as it relates to mathematics, science, engineering, and technology. Outlines what must occur for this agenda to be in place. (DDR)

Discusses environmental information needs of business professionals and provides an annotated list of Web sites serving as information sources. Highlights include "meta sites", government, health, law, engineering, education, organizations, and environmental news, as well as selected environmental "hot topics." (AEF)

Explains that European engineering students are not well prepared to integrate socio-economic and environmental issues efficiently into their future professional activities. Argues that necessary changes include a more interdisciplinary and systems-oriented approach to problems and better training in communication skills. Provides an example of an…

Describes a partnership between a teacher and a bus design engineer for the Flexible Corporation and the innovative, multidisciplinary unit on changes in invention and transportation that grew out of it. (JRH)

A Johns Hopkins University (Maryland) engineering professor has developed eight computer programs that simulate laboratory experiments, creating a "virtual laboratory" for his introductory engineering class. Experiments are fully interactive, giving students the opportunity to try eight different problem-solving strategies. Students can…

Describes development of a curriculum in medical information science that focuses on practical problems in clinical medicine rather than details of information technology. Design was guided by identification of six key clinical challenges that must be addressed by practitioners in the near future and by examination of past failures of informatics…

Describes a new competence-based engineering doctorate proposed by the Science and Economics Research Council (United Kingdom). The Parnaby Report mandated expert knowledge; appreciation of industrial engineering and development culture; skills in: project and program management, teamwork and leadership, communication, technical organization,…

In designing effective interactive media, cognitive psychology, human factors, psycholinguistics, semiotics, and communication theory should be considered. This article defines interactive media, considers interactive hypermedia design and the cognitive processes of designer and user, and examines the World Wide Web and Netscape Navigator, a…

Discusses the appropriate education for engineers in the global workplace and focuses on the need for bilingual and cross-cultural training. A questionnaire was designed and distributed among engineering professionals in Germany, Spain, France and England in one division of a company which makes fastening components for many of the world's major…

Discusses how simulation technology for the analysis of information systems (IS) supports human decision making. Examines online help and knowledge-based support, graphics, and visual interactive simulation (VIS) and animation. Concludes that there are opportunities to improve the decision support role of simulation technology in IS with enhanced…

Explores how research on how people think, learn, and remember can be used as a guide in redesigning higher education, especially science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields. Asserts that such research suggests against lectures, "canned" laboratory work, and frequent testing. (EV)

Points out the diminishing demand for mathematics undergraduate programs and the strong trend in engineering education to make greater use of computer coursework such as Mathcad, Matlab, and other software systems for the mathematical and statistical components of engineering programs. Describes the changing role of mathematics learning centers…

Applies principles of constructivism and virtual reality (VR) to computer-aided design (CAD) curriculum, particularly engineering, by integrating network, VR and CAD technologies into a Web-based learning environment that expands traditional two-dimensional computer graphics into a three-dimensional real-time simulation that enhances user…

Discussed is the underrepresentation of minorities and women pursuing graduate and undergraduate degrees in science and engineering. Two intervention programs are described in detail-Minority Access to Research Careers (MARC) and the Minority Engineering Program (MEP). (KR)

This special section includes 15 articles which examine trends in cooperative research, compare Japanese practices to see what the U.S. can learn from economic competition, and review an innovative trans-national continuing education effort in Europe. Several model programs involving companies, universities, and government agencies are discussed.…