Over the last two decades, science educators and science education researchers have grown increasingly interested in utilising insights from the sociology of scientific knowledge (SSK) to inform their work and research. To date, researchers in science education have focused on two applications: results of sociological studies of science have been…

Outlined is the status of science-technology-society (STS) education as an academic field of study in the United States. Its success as an academic field and unresolved questions regarding the future of STS are discussed. (KR)

This report seeks ways to improve the knowledge, understanding, and information available to the federal government on the long-term nature of the science and technology (S&T) enterprise as it relates to societal goals. The recommendations focus on a few key issues: improving the national capacity to define and revise long-term S&T goals; linking…

Argues that universities are failing to prepare students for responsible citizenship in a world being rapidly changed by biotechnology. Calls for bringing together biology and the social sciences in more core courses. (TW)

Discussed is the development of studies based on the ethical and value aspects of the interactions between science, technology, and society. Described are the characteristics of these studies and the proposals funded by the Ethics and Values Studies at the National Science Foundation. (KR)

Technology may be thought of as an extroverted activity involving a search for workable solutions to problems. The output of technology tends to take the form of a tangible product or service. Science, by contrast, is generally introverted, studying problems that are usually generated internally. As technology has become increasingly…

Described are some of the successes of the Green Revolution in third-world nations. Discussed are research priorities; misconceptions; and improvements in management skills, training and education, infrastructure, and international trade. (CW)

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)

Discussed is the linkage between science, technology, and religious ideas. Tillich's continuum of existentialism, philosophy, and theology and his concepts of the multidimensional unity of life have been used to develop a technology and religion course. Included are the core ethic and basic tenets for STS education. (KR)

Presented is a survey of five institutional mechanisms for allowing the lay public to influence environmental risk decisions. Discussed are public hearings, initiatives, public surveys, negotiated rule making, and citizens review panels. Defined is the democratic process criteria for assessing these and other participatory mechanisms. (KR)

Multidisciplinary programs have a venerable history, but most of the early history was either at big university equipment projects or at first-rate industrial laboratories. There has always been a small amount of interdisciplinarity, such as the physicist's or chemist's cadging crystal specimens from the geologist. But only in the post World War…

Reported are some data on both knowledge and perception of science and technology from a sample of adults in Perth, Western Australia. The results are compared to those of the United Kingdom. Included are the sampling and survey procedure, sample questions, results, and the discussion. (KR)

Discussed are the differences between the natural and social science disciplines and the importance of an interdisciplinary approach by the two groups on the subject of science-technology-society (STS). Included is a list of topics that all educated people should know about STS. (KR)

The objectives of this directory are to provide information which will strengthen regional and international cooperation and research in the field of science and technology education, and to promote greater exchange of ideas and information using new information technologies between institutions. This directory is the first issue of the…

Since the beginning of the decade, a significant number of states have initiated science and technology programs to encourage economic growth. Although these programs share some structural similarity, many of the specific details are unique. Among the unique aspects of these state programs are their objectives, organizational elements,…