A great deal of the nation's attention has turned to the sky as new technologies open the door for new opportunities with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). UAVs are powered aerial vehicles that do not carry an operator, use aerodynamic forces to provide vehicle lift, and can fly autonomously or be piloted remotely. As people become accustomed to…

"Living on the Future Edge" challenges school leaders to rethink longstanding paradigms and transform pedagogy for tomorrow's learners. Apple Computer, Inc. co-founder Steve Wozniak's foreword underscores the overwhelming need to adjust traditional instruction to fit today's high-tech world. The book explores this new landscape and…

It is generally agreed that informed citizens in a republic such as the United States should maintain broad awareness of current developments in science and technology. This paper describes a colloquium-style course, The News of Science, designed to stimulate in undergraduate students a desire for such awareness, and to present a convenient means…

In this article, the author provides an overview of teaching and learning activities that combine both historical and civics instruction with the study of technology, in line with NCSS thematic strand "Science, Technology, and Society." Specifically, these integrative teaching activities focus on Lowell Mill and Ralph Waldo Emerson, within the…

As part of the National Science Foundation-funded Internships in Public Science Education (IPSE) program, we have created a classroom activity that encourages middle school students to think about the interactions between technology, individuals, and communities. Good and bad, the effects of technology on society are important, real-world issues.…

Presented to the faculty of the Fashion Institute of Technology (New York City) after the acceptance by the New York Board of Regents of the school's plan to offer master's degree programs, these remarks focus on the problems presented by rapid developments in communications technology and the responsibility of the faculty to participate in the…

Selected are three pioneers who invented the history of technology: Abbott P. Usher, Lewis Mumford, and Sigfried Giedion. Their careers, publications, and contributions to the history of technology are described. (YP)

Discussed are applications of robotics in the chemistry laboratory. Highlighted are issues of precision, accuracy, and system integration. Emphasized are the potential benefits of the use of robots to automate laboratory procedures. (CW)

Reviews the history of the steam turbine at sea from the 1880s to modern turbines. Presents several pictures of various types of turbines. (YP)

Intended to help course designers and other professionals infuse the teaching of the social implications of technological change into existing technical and further education (TAFE) courses in Australia, the guide has four sections: (1) a chapter called "Why Teach Social Implications"; (2) examples that were collected from the 11 of 245…

The purpose of this study was to determine the socio-cultural factors which mitigate against the learning and teaching of science in the secondary school. It was found that authoritarianism, goal structure, the African world-view, societal expectation, and sacredness of science have significant effects on the learning of science. (CW)

Described is the evaluation of an inservice course on biotechnology. Evaluated were the influence that the course had on teacher knowledge, use of practical work, problem solving investigations and theoretical aspects of biotechnology. A practical model of inservice evaluation is provided. (Author/CW)

These teaching guides are meant to supplement the eighth season (1997-98) of the PBS Series "Scientific American Frontiers". Episode 801 is entitled "Expedition Panama: Science at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute" and the teaching guide contains information and activities on the ultrasonic communication of bats,…

Discussed is the value of integrating the study of technology and society. Topics include political theory of spontaneous social orders, paradoxical nature of the theory in historical and in contemporary contexts, uses of spontaneous order theory with feedback technologies, and the comparison of feedback technology with two different spontaneous…

This is a summary of a seminar for changing the undergraduate chemical engineering curriculum in India. Identifies and describes biotechnology, materials for structural and microelectronic catalysis, and new separation processes as emerging areas. Evaluates the current curriculum, including basic science, engineering lore, chemical engineering,…