Discusses the response of journalists and scientists for overcoming the suspicion of scientific research among the general public. Provides some recommendations and lessons from successful national initiatives. (Author/YP)

Provides an overview and description of the metric system. Discusses the evolution of measurement systems and their early cultures, the beginnings of metric measurement, the history of measurement systems in the United States, the International System of Units, its general style and usage, and supplementary units. (RT)

Examines the public's lack of understanding and interest in science. Places much of the blame on the perception of science as a dense yet pristine discipline divorced from everyday concerns. Criticizes the concept of science as independent of social construction and argues for instruction emphasizing relationships between science and society. (MJP)

Discussed is whether scientists should take responsibility for the social consequences of their discoveries. Reviewed is the role to which the "modern" playwright assigns scientists in modern society and what might realistically be a role that scientists and scientific societies should play in the modern world. (KR)

Described is the philosophical debate over the issue of nuclear power. Discussed are the utilitarian nature of the justification of nuclear power and the utilitarian approaches to the issue of nuclear power, the strengths and weaknesses of this approach, and utilitarian versus egalitarian ethics. (KR)

Grade 11 students enrolled in a science/technology/society (STS) course, students not enrolled and their respective teachers were profiled. The results indicate that STS education rather that STS "doctrination" is the norm, the goal of "STS-literate" students has not been achieved, and the long-term retention capability of the established and…

Discussed is the crisis in science education which reflects larger educational problems and signals a possible economic disaster. Suggested measures include mobilizing federal and private resources, strengthening the schools, a new and improved draft, and changes in the workplace. (KR)

Traces the practice of relating academic science with the life world of the student to the 1600s. Focuses on identifying elements of a curriculum framework and cognitive strategies that seek to prepare students to be productive citizens in the world. Contains 37 references. (DDR)

Discusses some new evidence for evolution that might be useful in persuading students who question the scientific basis for evolution. Draws on findings from the fields of molecular biology and genetics. (DDR)

Discusses excerpts from Jupit Scientific's publication, "The Bible According to Einstein: A Complement to the Holy Bible for the Third Millennium." (WRM)

Summarizes arguments for and against teaching ethics within science education, and clarifies what might be the several aims of teaching ethics in science. Discusses how ethics instruction might be incorporated into the science curriculum. (Contains 120 references.) (WRM)

Reviews the published literature in English on scientific literacy. Discusses the history and various factors that influence interpretations of the concept. (Contains 106 references.) (Author/WRM)

The public's perception of science and technology and of the National Science Foundation (NSF) is addressed and discussed in this report in terms of the social contract that exists between the scientific community and the public. A social contract is defined as the set of mutual expectations and obligations of the public, government, and science.…

This collection of science activities is designed to supplement traditional science education by encompassing an issues-based approach to helping students develop scientific and technological literacy. Each unit can be used within an existing teaching sequence and includes an introduction specifying scientific issues and educational objectives, a…

Recently, the nature of science has enjoyed renewed attention in science education circles as a primary component of scientific literacy. This paper describes an investigation meant to assess the influence of a person's understanding of the nature of science on his or her decision-making regarding science- and technology-based issues, and to…