In this article, the author describes two lessons in which students applied the scientific knowledge learned from studying offshore oil drilling to construct a fact-based argument on the topic and then communicate it to their policy makers, since public commentary was solicited. The students practiced using their scientific knowledge to…

Chemists continue to work at the forefront of materials science research. Recent advances include application of bioengineering to produce plastics from renewable biomass instead of petroleum, generation of paper-based batteries, and development of phototriggerable microcapsules for chemical delivery. In this article, the author provides summaries…

Among the National Science Foundation's (NSF) postdoctoral programs, the International Research Fellowship Program (IRFP) is unique in its emphasis on providing postdoctoral fellows with international research experiences. Established in 1992, IRFP provides financial support to postdoctoral scientists for a research experience abroad lasting…

Since its founding in 1863, the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) has occupied a special niche in the complex ecology of advice-giving in the United States. Established as a small, private organization with special responsibilities and obligations vis a vis the American people and government, the Academy has expanded considerably in the past…

Blogs, wikis, and social-networking sites such as Facebook may get media buzz these days, but for scientists, engineers, and doctors, they are not even on the radar. The most effective tools of the Internet for such people tend to be efforts more narrowly aimed at their needs, such as software that helps geneticists replicate one another's…

The ability of the American nation to remain secure in the face of both traditional military threats and international terrorism while maintaining the excellence and pace of American science and technology requires a delicate balance. It depends first and foremost on effective dialogue and joint problem solving by those responsible for maintaining…

As science and engineering are taking on an increasing political importance in a knowledge-driven economy, there is growing need for Governments, scientists, industrialists and voluntary groups to measure the degree to which national science policies are contributing effectively to economic and social wellbeing. However, the long-term and diffuse…

Discusses the present state of governmental support for basic scientific research and for technological advancement. Explores various sources of advice for the coordination and integration at the federal level in technological-social-economic-political interactions. (CS)

DESIGNED TO INFORM LEADERS IN INDUSTRY, GOVERNMENT, AND EDUCATION, WHOSE RESPONSIBILITY INCLUDES AWARENESS OF ENGINEERING MANPOWER DEVELOPMENTS, THIS BULLETIN REPORTS A STUDY CONDUCTED BY THE ENGINEERING MANPOWER COMMISSION OF ENGINEERS IN THE ARMED SERVICES. THE WORK OF THE COMMISSION IS TO ASSURE THE MOST EFFECTIVE UTILIZATION OF ENGINEERING…

Announces the availability of grants from the National Bureau of Standards for the compilation of reliable reference data and the weeding out of faulty data. The grants are in response to the demand for data in all areas of science and technology. (Author/SA)

This booklet provides 43 graphs and tables organized into broad topics such as research and development funding patterns, academic research and development, research and development in United States industry, education of scientists and engineers, working scientists and engineers, public attitudes toward science and technology, and international…

This article highlights several programs at the National Academies that should be useful to educators in biology. These include works under the aegis of the National Academy of Sciences' Office on Public Understanding of Science, the National Academy of Engineering's (NAE's) ongoing work on improving technological literacy, and joint work by the…

Highlights current U.S. research and development (R&D) efforts, focusing on sources of funds (chief federal supporters being Department of Health and Human Services and National Science Foundation), who spends them, and how they are divided among basic and applied R&D. Includes human resources (scientists and engineers) trends (Author/JN)

Discusses three research topics which are concerned with eminently practical problems and deal at the same time with fundamental fluid dynamical problems. These research topics come from the general areas of chemical and biological engineering, geophysics, and pure mathematics. (HM)

A study was conducted to determine the proportion of young doctoral faculty (i.e., received the Ph.D. within the past seven years), the extent of their activity in seeking research support, and the possible reasons for any slackening in their search for support in recent years. Trends based on earlier surveys on the same topic are analyzed.…