This study aimed to investigate research trends related to socio-scientific issues (SSI). The SSI articles analysed were from highest-rating five science education journals with the highest impact ratings, published between 2011 and 2022, including "Science Education" [SE], "Journal of Research in Science Teaching" [JRST],…

There has been much interest in happiness over the last decade fueled by developments in neuroscience and the measurement of happiness. Positive psychology has emerged as a recognised discipline within academia to provide a home for the findings of the new scientific study of happiness. In 2011, positive psychology was the most popular course at…

The Experimental Biology 2012 meeting in San Diego, CA, included events to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the founding of the American Physiological Society (APS) and reflect on the recent accomplishments of the society. Most of the APS activities in the past quarter century were guided by a series of strategic plans. Membership in the APS…

Interdisciplinary higher education aims to develop boundary-crossing skills, such as interdisciplinary thinking. In the present review study, interdisciplinary thinking was defined as the capacity to integrate knowledge of two or more disciplines to produce a cognitive advancement in ways that would have been impossible or unlikely through single…

Media reports are an important source of new scientific knowledge, and this information can affect the decision making process. This study explores how formal educational settings prepare students to evaluate informal scientific information. Participants in this study came from different science backgrounds, including adults who did not study post…

Criticism of science reflects an exaggerated view of what science is capable of doing, even an expectation that science can "fix" the human condition, and misplaced fears about its hazards. Widespread scientific illiteracy in turn threatens the pursuit of science. (MSE)

Because of the role it plays in physiology and neurobiology, there is a rebirth of interest in nitric oxide. It can affect enzyme and immune system regulation and cytotoxicity. Nitric oxide may represent a new class of signaling molecules--gases that pass through cells and vanish. Overactive neurons produce large amounts of NO which may be linked…

Examines the types of requests for information made by university students (N=60) as they evaluate scientific news briefs. Student requests most often focus on how research is conducted and why results might occur. Contains 47 references. (DDR)

This report discusses the main issues and problems identified at the Fifth Biennial Conference on Chemical Education. Main topics included surviving the drop in university enrollments, preparing chemists for changing job markets, improving scientific literacy, and obtaining more support money. (MA)

This article suggests that the American public is experiencing growing alienation from scientific inquiry and there is no national science policy. The research capacity of the United States is declining, and scientists have been reluctant to speak out. Concern exists that open disagreement among scientists would be more damaging than helpful.…

Discusses the impact of science on society from three interpretive bases; the practical applications of science; scientific knowledge and information; and the scientific attitude and approach to phenomena. Suggests that all three bases must be considered or the distortion resulting can have far-reaching effects on man's selection of future…

Originally prepared for the Science Council of Canada, this document summarizes issues and concerns discussed by participants in a colloquium on content in Canadian science education. The meeting was prompted by the Report of the Commission on Canadian Studies which indicated, among other findings, that Canadian scientists and technologists fail…

Evaluates the participation of high school students in the activities of an international conference on experimental biology. Students develop criteria to overcome difficulties with vocabulary and content and acquire updated scientific information. (Author/DDR)

Discusses how to best approach the science education of a range of students in higher education. Focuses on the importance of hands-on experiences, organization of courses, relevance and interest level of the content, and the faculty dilemma of the roles of research and teaching. (DDR)

A populace illiterate in science and technology results from attitudes and values nurtured by the public educational system. To change the attitudes of educators in the U.S. requires changing public attitudes toward learning standards, student responsibility for learning, and the importance of fundamental skills. (MLW)