Advisers to the Nation on Science, Engineering, and Medicine

The National Academy of Sciences is a private, nonprofit, self-perpetuating society of distinguished scholars engaged in scientific and engineering research, dedicated to the furtherance of science and technology and to their use for the general welfare. Upon the authority of the charter granted to it by the Congress in 1863, the Academy has a mandate that requires it to advise the federal government on scientific and technical matters. Dr. Ralph J. Cicerone is president of the National Academy of Sciences.

The National Academy of Engineering was established in 1964, under the charter of the National Academy of Sciences, as a parallel organization of outstanding engineers. It is autonomous in its administration and in the selection of its members, sharing with the National Academy of Sciences the responsibility for advising the federal government. The National Academy of Engineering also sponsors engineering programs aimed at meeting national needs, encourages education and research, and recognizes the superior achievements of engineers. Dr. Charles M. Vest is president of the National Academy of Engineering.

The Institute of Medicine was established in 1970 by the National Academy of Sciences to secure the services of eminent members of appropriate professions in the examination of policy matters pertaining to the health of the public. The Institute acts under the responsibility given to the National Academy of Sciences by its congressional charter to be an adviser to the federal government and, upon its own initiative, to identify issues of medical care, research, and education. Dr. Harvey V. Fineberg is president of the Institute of Medicine.

The National Research Council was organized by the National Academy of Sciences in 1916 to associate the broad community of science and technology with the Academy’s purposes of furthering knowledge and advising the federal government. Functioning in accordance with general policies determined by the Academy, the Council has become the principal operating agency of both the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Engineering in providing services to the government, the public, and the scientific and engineering communities. The Council is administered jointly by both Academies and the Institute of Medicine. Dr. Ralph J. Cicerone and Dr. Charles M. Vest are chair and vice chair, respectively, of the National Research Council.

www.national-academies.org

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This workshop summary is based on discussions at two workshops convened by the Board on Science Education of the National Research Council (NRC) on June 30 and October 13-14, 2008. We thank our colleagues who served on the planning committee, each of whom brought deep and varied expertise to the process of planning the workshop. The planning committee members identified presenters, organized the agenda, selected paper authors, and facilitated the discussion, although they did not participate in the writing of this report. This summary reflects their diligent efforts, the excellent papers and presentations by other experts at the workshop, and the insightful comments of the many workshop participants. The workshop would not have become a reality without the generous support of the National Science Foundation.

This summary has been reviewed in draft form by individuals chosen for their diverse perspectives and technical expertise, in accordance with procedures approved by the NRC’s Report Review Committee. The purpose of this independent review is to provide candid and critical comments that will assist the institution in making its published summary as sound as possible and to ensure that the summary meets institutional standards for objectivity, evidence, and responsiveness to the study charge. The review comments and draft manuscript remain confidential to protect the integrity of the process. We wish to thank the following individuals for their review of this summary: George M. Bodner, Arthur Kelly Professor of Chemistry, Engineering and Education, Department of Chemistry, Purdue University; Paula Heron, Department of Physics, University of Washington; Julie Libarkin, Department of Geological Sciences, Division of Science and Mathemat-

ics Education, Cognitive Science Program, Center for Research on College Science Teaching and Learning, Michigan State University; and William B. Wood, Distinguished Professor, Emeritus, Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder.

Although the reviewers listed above provided many constructive comments and suggestions, they were not asked to endorse the content of the report, nor did they see the final draft of the report before its release. The review of this report was overseen by Kendall Starkweather, executive director of the International Technology Education Association. Appointed by the NRC, he was responsible for making certain that an independent examination of this report was carried out in accordance with institutional procedures and that all review comments were carefully considered. Responsibility for the final content of this report rests entirely with the author and the institution.

We are grateful for the leadership and support of Robert Hauser, executive director of the NRC Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education, and Martin Storksdieck, director of the Board on Science Education. We also thank Margaret Hilton, senior program officer, for her valuable contributions to the design and implementation of the workshop agenda, her collaborations with the commissioned paper authors, and her considerable work on this summary; Natalie Nielsen for serving as rapporteur for the two workshops; and Rebecca Krone for her flawless logistical support throughout the project.

Susan Singer, Chair

Heidi Schweingruber, Study Director

Planning Committee on Evidence on Selected Innovations in Undergraduate STEM Education