Many large scientific projects and scientific centres incorporate some kind of outreach programme. Almost all of these outreach programmes include public scientific lectures delivered by practising scientists. In this article, we examine such lectures from the perspectives of: (i) lecturers (7) who are practising scientists acknowledged to be good…

Targeting four institutions with structured science research programs for undergraduates, this study focuses on how underrepresented students experience science. Several key themes emerged from focus group discussions: learning to become research scientists, experiences with the culture of science, and views on racial and social stigma.…

Scientists often have to observe and study surfaces that are impossible or impractical to see directly, such as the ocean floor or the atomic surfaces of objects. Early in the history of oceanography scientists dropped weighted cables to the bottom of the ocean. By moving across the ocean at regular intervals and keeping track of how deep the…

Computer advances now let researchers quickly search through DNA sequences to find gene variations that could lead to disease, simulate how flu might spread through one's school, and design three-dimensional animations of molecules that rival any video game. By teaming computers and biology, scientists can answer new and old questions that could…

Based on the notion that science begins and ends with the natural curiosity that young people have about themselves and the world, this book provides teachers and parents with many options for science exploration. Concepts are developed through science activities, creative arts activities, puzzles and games, and short biographies of individuals…

This booklet was written for students and describes some of the basic features of a life in contemporary research and some of the personal and professional issues that researchers will encounter in their work. This booklet divides the decisions that scientists make into two overlapping categories. Much of the first half of the booklet looks at…

This book presents the life stories of 10 women who work in various fields of science as well as information on education and financial aid and getting a good job (focusing on jobs in academia and industry). The life stories, based on interviews with women scientists, are organized according to their academic fields: (1) biology--Dr. Beatrice…

Described are the contributions of 15 women astronomers to the modern understanding of the stars. Discussed are early women pioneers, early spectrographic studies, and recent women astronomers. A list of 29 references is included. (CW)

We present an alternative to a traditional first-year chemistry laboratory experiment. This experiment has four key features: students utilize stoichiometry, learn and apply principles of green chemistry, engage in authentic scientific inquiry, and discover why each part of a scientific lab report is necessary. The importance and essential…

Each year the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) produces new educational products that are used by NASA educational staff at NASA-sponsored workshops and events. Part of the series, "The Great Minds of Microgravity", Galileo, Newton, and Einstein, are the subjects of this brief. The materials include a brief…

Outlines the contents of Volume II of "Principia" by Sir Isaac Newton. Reviews the contributions of subsequent scientists to the physics of fluid dynamics. Discusses the treatment of fluid mechanics in physics curricula. Highlights a few of the problems of modern research in fluid dynamics. Shows that problems still remain. (CW)

Celebrates the 300th anniversary of "Principia Mathematica" written by Sir Isaac Newton. Reviews Newton's life and the circumstances which relate to "Principia." Relates the contributions of other scientists of Newton's time. Discusses Newton's life after the publication of "Principia." (CW)

This document provides information about careers in the agricultural sciences, the biological sciences, chemistry, forestry and conservation, geology and geophysics, meteorology, and physics. The information, presented in separate sections for each of these disciplines, includes: (1) nature of the work performed by scientists in the discipline(s);…

Discusses how the reputation of "Principia" was created and maintained. Indicates the difficulties of identifying a single unambiguous meaning for the text. Shows that knowledge of Sir Isaac Newton makes little difference to understanding the later impact of the work. (CW)

This book describes the lives and achievements of 27 disabled scientists and students of science who are overcoming obstacles and are carrying on careers and studies in their chosen field of science or engineering, graphically showing that individuals with physical disabilities can succeed in scientific and technical work. The book presents a…