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NSF PR 95-54 - August 14, 1995
Media contact: |
Njuguna Kabugi |
(703) 306-1070 |
This material is available primarily for archival purposes. Telephone
numbers or other contact information may be out of date; please see current
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contacts.
Review to Explore How Current Innovations Can Reinforce
Undergraduate Science Education
The National Science Foundation (NSF) has begun a
year long review of undergraduate science, mathematics,
engineering and technology education in the United
States. According to Dr. Luther S. Williams, NSF's
Assistant Director for Education and Human Resources,
the review is expected to provide guidance as to how
large-scale changes in undergraduate education could
be designed to improve quality and how NSF can most
effectively capitalize on recent investments made
in undergraduate science education. "NSF undergraduate
programs have supported innovative projects to improve
instruction at many two-year and four year colleges
and universities. We hope to find out how the results
of these and of similar projects funded by others
can be used as the basis for larger-scale systemic
change," Williams said.
The review, to be carried out by the Advisory Committee
of NSF's Directorate for Education and Human Resources,
will consult widely with educators, students and employers
to provide analysis on the condition and support of
undergraduate faculty, curriculum, and capabilities
for teaching and scholarship in undergraduate institutions.
It will be headed by Dr. Melvin D. George, Vice President
of Institutional Relations at the University of Minnesota.
The review will consist of three phases.
- First, there will be direct contact with individuals
and organizations who are the "customers" of the
varied programs and institutions that deliver
undergraduate education plus intensive study of
existing reports and data.
- Second, preliminary findings from the first phase
will be presented for comment to individuals and
organizations experienced in undergraduate SME&T
education and the employment of its graduates:
regional hearings will be held, and there will
be discussions with faculty, administrators, and
employers attending key professional society meetings.
- Third, NSF will seek to publicize and encourage
implementation of those practices that will achieve
improved science and technology literacy, a technically
more capable workforce, better prepared teachers
and scientists and engineers, and broader participation
in SME&T careers.
According to Robert Watson, Director of NSF's Division
of Undergraduate Education, projects supported by
the NSF may focus on a single discipline, engineering
or chemistry, for example; reach across disciplines,
joining physics and biology for example; or be targeted
on a special group of students, such as future elementary
and secondary school teachers. "The ultimate goals
of improved undergraduate SME&T education include
citizens who are empowered to be full participants
in a scientific and technological society, and a technically
well-prepared workforce that can both participate
and lead in a high performance workplace employing
advanced technologies," said Watson.
Press releases and other information are now available
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