Reports on the use of a survey to assess college science classroom learning environments. Recommends that college science instructors carefully examine their instructional techniques in light of decreased enrollment in such courses. Contains 21 references. (DDR)

Argues against a type of program evaluation of undergraduate institutions that assumes students are products. Proposes that if students are products, then students are raw materials. Discusses the philosophical problems of considering students as raw materials. (DDR)

Describes an exercise ideal for use in an introductory biology or microbiology course. Requires no special equipment, little expertise in microbiology, and provides a colorful demonstration of microbial interaction. (DDR)

Discusses the integration of research and teaching at undergraduate institutions and the overall effect that changing funding patterns have on large and small undergraduate institutions. (JRH)

Describes a workshop in which participants were challenged to develop a set of recommendations for the earth sciences community that would lead to a coherent educational plan with earth systems as a focus. Discusses recommendations made by the workshop participants, the future of earth systems sciences, and a plan for the future. (JRH)

This open letter to new Ph.D.s from the academic deans of the Commonwealth Partnership, a consortium of 12 independent colleges and universities in Pennsylvania, presents the views of the deans and provosts concerning the profession recent graduates may be about to enter, and explains the particular pressures and pleasures of teaching…

Discusses the role of the Society for College Science Teachers (SCST) column in the Journal of College Science Teaching in providing a forum for interdisciplinary interaction among teachers of science at all institutions of higher education. (JRH)

Discusses the use of portfolio assessment strategies for more lengthy, complex, and authentic student assessments. Reports on an investigation to determine the effectiveness of portfolio strategies. Also discusses two group comparisons, student perceptions of portfolio assessment, and concerns. Concludes that portfolio assessment procedures…

Discusses opportunities and obstacles in achieving science education reform. Reports on the proceedings of one of the sessions at the National Science Teachers Association's Western Regional Convention. The goal of this panel presentation was to describe the next generation of science literacy courses. Includes the preparation for the panel…

Describes strategies used in undergraduate geology education at the Carleton College. Discusses factors that contribute to the success of the program, including the setting and the choices made with regard to teaching. (JRH)

Presents an activity that convinces students that rock records do contain many types of "readable" evidence and gives students insight into the methods of historical geology. Describes a closure assignment that requires students to reflect upon what they have learned, organize their knowledge, and write a capstone essay on the history of the…

Describes a strategy that uses the analysis of movie plots to reveal the importance of biological issues to students. Concludes that pointing out the role of biology in familiar and popular cultural phenomena proved effective in reaching students who might otherwise have been intimidated by or prejudiced against science. (JRH)

Discusses the use of Post-it Notes as effective teaching devices. Presents activities that use Post-it Notes including concept mapping, molecular modeling, group activities illustrating multi-step biological processes, and genetics activities. Highlights the use of the constructivist approach. (JRH)

Discusses the ethical implications of research and the need for educating people to evaluate the impact of any research project. Describes a course at the University of Arizona which aims to ensure that students become knowledgeable and conversant about the many ethical, social, and legal dilemmas raised by current research in biology. Contains 16…

Discusses strategies to duplicate current research protocols using biochemical methods of analysis. Describes the use of the Silver Sequence kit that provides a technically simple and relatively inexpensive DNA sequencing exercise. (JRH)