Elementary and Secondary Education for Science and Engineering: A Technical Memorandum.

Overview & Synopsis

Students make many choices over a long period, and choose a career through a complicated process. This process includes formal instruction in mathematics and science, and the opportunity for informal education in museums, science centers, and recreational programs. The influence of family, teachers, peers, and the electronic media can make an enormous difference. This memorandum analyzes these influences. Because education is all one system, policymakers interested in nuturing scientists and engineers must address the educational environment as a totality; changing only one part of the system will not yield the desired result. Discussions covered in this report include how the science and engineering talent pool is shaped; the formal educational process; teachers; teaching methods; informal education; and how to improve science and mathematics education. Appendices include a list of the major national databases on K-12 science and mathematics education and students; science and mathematics education in the USSR, Great Britain, and Japan; a survey of the National Association for Research in Science Teaching; and a list of the reports of contractors prepared for this document. (CW)