This article describes the teacher's role in promoting mathematical thinking and problem solving in the classroom--identifying critical teacher actions and decisions; considering how beliefs influence the teacher's actions and decisions; and suggesting implications for teachers and students.

Schools that give students access to STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) studies are accomplishing several objectives: introducing students to higher-level academic and career studies, expanding project-based learning in the curriculum, enticing students to remain in school until graduation, and preparing students for…

Simon and Smith (MPQ; v31 n1 p265-77 Jul 1985) obtained negative findings in their replication of Smith and Dutton's (1979) lure-retrieval experiment. However, this replication failed to support the conclusion that findings seriously undermine the credibility of all previous experimental studies of play. (Author/KS)

A quality circle is a problem-solving method with emphasis on analytic thought, a task-structured group process, school and community issues, implementation of an action plan, and evaluation of results. Circles develop not only the gifted students' analytic thinking skills but also their responsibility and leadership skills. (Author/CL)

The following is a listing of recent books relating to Creativity and Problem Solving. (Editor)

At a three-day meeting some executives of the Drackett Co. and representatives of the broker sales force took part in a grid team approach to the problem of improving relationships between the brokers and the Drackett organization. (SA)

The Panel Consensus Technique is a structured method by which many or few ideas can be processed by successive objective comparison, analysis, evaluation, and judgment; the aim is to achieve consensus in selecting ideas that show the most potential for solving a specific problem or problems. (Author/CB)

Presents a problem which requires students to become familiar with the computation and interpretation of a non-parametric statistic for rank correlation. Purpose of problem is to help students to see meaningful application and to present a problem that does not have a text-book answer. (BR)

Various kinds of untested bellefs that determine managerial behavior (and often impede effectiveness) in organizations, followed by techniques for identifying and correcting such beliefs. Four references. (LY)

Constructive ways for students to become agents of social change are examined. (CK)