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Subcategory: International Science Education
Many Nations Passing U.S. in Education, Expert Says
Mar 11 2010 - The New York Times (requires free registration)
One of the world’s foremost experts on comparing national school systems told lawmakers on Tuesday that many other countries were surpassing the United States in educational attainment, including Canada, where he said 15-year-old students were, on average, more than one school year ahead of American 15-year-olds.
Elite University Jump-Starts Its Earth Science Revival
Jan 21 2010 - ScienceInsider
China’s stance at the Copenhagen climate summit last month riled many critics, but the country is earning praise on the research front. In the latest sign of the government’s increasing support for climate change research, Tsinghua University this week has launched the Institute for Global Change Studies.
Dwindling Hope for Universal Education
Jan 21 2010 - EducationNews.org
The United Nations–led global drive to get every child into primary education risks being knocked off course by the global financial crisis, which is leaving a legacy of rising poverty and hunger in poor countries, the UN warns today.
Science Education Across Borders
Jan 20 2010 - EducationNews.org
Why academic globalization should be welcomed, not feared.
Two Sides of the Ocean; One Climate Plea
Dec 11 2009 - The Washington Post (requires free registration)
A delegation of Washington area students and one squirmy diamondback terrapin named Happy were beamed into Thursday's United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen to help advance a solution for curbing carbon emissions.
Canada Will Require Foreign Students to Submit Biometric Identification Data
Nov 13 2009 - The Chronicle of Higher Education
International students applying for study visas to Canada will be required to provide biometric identification details, such as fingerprints, within two years, according to a senior Canadian immigration official.
Saudi Arabia’s New University to Let Women Unveil and Study with Men
Sep 24 2009 - The Christian Science Monitor
The King Abdullah Science and Technology University opened Wednesday is meant to break ground on Saudi Arabia's scientific learning and gender norms.
Contest Lets Students Try to "Change the World"
Aug 11 2009 - eSchool News
With submissions from more than 200 undergraduate and graduate students around the globe, the first annual Presidents' "Change the World" Competition from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers last month called on students to develop unique solutions to real-world problems using engineering, science, computing, and leadership skills to benefit their community or humanity.
U.S. Students Win Big at the International Linguistics Olympiad
Aug 10 2009 - National Science Foundation
High school students from across the U.S. won individual and team honors last week at the seventh annual International Olympiad in Linguistics held in Wroclaw, Poland. The results reflect U.S. competence in computational linguistics, an emerging field that has applications in computer science, language processing, code breaking and other advanced arenas.
Academic Disengagement More Common for US Teens than Chinese
Jul 21 2009 - ScienceDaily
In the United States, adolescence is a time when many teens become less interested in academics. A new longitudinal study has found that this disengagement is greater for American teens than for Chinese teens.
Singapore Crafts Vocational Ed. with Industries in Mind
Jul 17 2009 - Education Week (requires free registration)
Well known for its math and science prowess, Singapore refashioned its career and technical education system with the aim of moving low-achieving students into high-demand jobs. American policymakers are watching.
Report: U.S. Students Lag in Biosciences
May 19 2009 - USA Today
Middle and high school students across the country are generally falling behind in life sciences, and the nation is at risk of producing a dearth of qualified workers for the fast-growing bioscience industry, according to a report released Monday.
Fact Check: Are U.S. Students Really that Bad?
May 18 2009 - The Boston Globe
While they're not in first place, U.S. students generally hold their own on international tests. Here is a look at recent statements about the standing of the U.S. educational system and how they square with the facts.
Students Least Informed about Environmental Science Are Most Optimistic
Apr 24 2009 - National Science Foundation
According to an analysis of student performance on PISA 2006—an international assessment of 15-year-olds—students who are the best informed about environmental science and the geosciences are also the most realistic about the environmental challenges facing the world in the next 20 years.
African and American Universities Win Partnership Grants
Apr 14 2009 - The Chronicle of Higher Education
The U.S. Agency for International Development and a Washington-based group, Higher Education for Development, announced the awarding of $1-million in grants to 20 American and 20 African colleges for collaborations in agriculture, health care, and teacher training, among other crucial fields.
Lessons from Most Successful Schools Abroad
Mar 24 2009 - The Christian Science Monitor
Education trends from other nations are gaining cachet as political and educational leaders
strive to bring American schools in line with the demands of the 21st-century global economy.
Obama Administration Urged to End Viewpoint-Based Exclusion of Foreign Scholars
Mar 18 2009 - The Chronicle of Higher Education
Dozens of academic, free-speech, and civil-rights organizations today sent top officials in the Obama administration a letter urging them to end the federal government’s practice of denying visas to foreign scholars, writers, artists, and activists based on ideology.
State Considers International Tests to Gauge Performance
Mar 17 2009 - The Baltimore Sun
Maryland officials are considering giving a sampling of students an international test next fall to gauge how well the state's public schools are preparing students to compete with others in the world. National education groups and U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan have made international testing a focus of interest, particularly as the patchwork quilt of varying state standards has come under increasing criticism.
Editor of Turkish Scientific Journal Reportedly Is Sacked for Darwin Cover Story
Mar 13 2009 - The Chronicle of Higher Education
The editor of a scientific journal published by Turkey’s state-run Scientific and Technological Research Council has reportedly been removed from her post for commissioning a March cover story on Charles Darwin to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the naturalist's birth.
U.S.-Based Aeronautical University Will Open Campus in Persian Gulf Emirate
Feb 27 2009 - The Chronicle of Higher Education
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University has agreed to establish a branch campus in the United Arab Emirates. The university has formed a partnership with an investment fund based in Abu Dhabi that, among other things, aims to establish the Persian Gulf emirate as a hub for the aerospace, aviation, and defense industries.
Brookings Study Gives Thumbs Down to European Test
Feb 26 2009 - The Boston Globe
When it comes to measuring U.S. students against kids around the world, the National Governors Association and other groups have encouraged states to look at a European test used in 57 other countries. But after scrutinizing the exam, the Brookings Institution has concluded it's seriously flawed.
Report Urges U.S. to Look Abroad for Ed Lessons
Feb 25 2009 - eSchool News
In a report titled "Benchmarking for Success," high-level state officials call for action to ensure that American students are globally competitive. Education leaders, the report advises, should renew the focus on international benchmarking and look toward other countries for help in drafting state achievement standards.
Curriculum Program Relocating To Maryland
Feb 24 2009 - The Washington Post (requires free registration)
The International Baccalaureate Organization, whose college-preparatory curriculum has expanded exponentially in the Washington area alongside the rival Advanced Placement program, is relocating its U.S. offices from New York to Montgomery County, Maryland.
Targets and Tests "Suffocating Learning"
Feb 20 2009 - Reuters
Young children's education in England is suffering because the curriculum focuses excessively on numeracy, literacy, and rigid testing, according to the biggest review into British primary school education for 40 years.
Protesting French Researchers Fling Shoes
Feb 4 2009 - ScienceInsider
Taking their cue from the angry Iraqi journalist who took aim at then-U.S. president George W. Bush, several hundred French researchers hurled shoes at the Department of Higher Education and Research in Paris to protest hotly contested reforms by research minister Valérie Pécresse.
A Dent in the Data
Dec 22 2008 - Inside Higher Ed
Errors in international statistics used to show decline in U.S. higher education raise questions about overdependence on them.
Math Gains Reported for U.S. Students
Dec 10 2008 - The New York Times (requires free registration)
American fourth- and eighth-grade students made solid achievement gains in math in recent years and in two states showed spectacular progress, an international survey of student achievement released on Tuesday found. Science performance was flat.
College-Educated Immigrants Vastly Underemployed in US
Oct 23 2008 - The Boston Globe
One out of every five college-educated immigrants in the United States is either unemployed or working in an unskilled job such as a dishwasher, fast-food restaurant cashier, or security guard, depriving the US economy of the full potential of more than 1.3 million foreign-born workers, according to a new study.
Teacher Finds New Cosmic Object
Aug 6 2008 - BBC News
A new class of cosmic object has been found by a Dutch schoolteacher, through a project that allows the public to take part in astronomy research online.
Foreign Students Flock to the US
Jul 7 2008 - The Boston Globe
The faltering US dollar, which has steadily lost value against major currencies around the world, has produced a silver lining for foreign students, and the American universities that recruit them.
'Two Million Minutes' Suggests It's Time to Improve U.S. Education
Jun 20 2008 - Los Angeles Times
A Memphis entrepreneur's documentary compares high-achieving students from India, China, and America. It has drawn mixed reactions from academics.
German Tots Learn to Answer Call of Nature
Apr 18 2008 - Wall Street Journal
The birthplace of kindergarten is returning to its roots. While schools and parents elsewhere push young children to read, write, and surf the internet earlier to prepare for an increasingly cutthroat global economy, some little Germans are taking a less traveled path--deep into the woods. Hall passes aren't required, but bug repellent is a good idea.
Comparing American Students with Those in China and India
Jan 31 2008 - U.S. News & World Report
Two million minutes is the estimated time that students spend in high school. It is also the title of a new documentary film that suggests American students squander too much of that time. While their peers in China and India study longer hours to sharpen their math and science skills, top students from one of the best high schools in the U.S. are playing video games and watching Grey's Anatomy during a group study session, at least in clips seen in the documentary. The film, produced by Memphis venture capitalist Robert Compton and promoted by the ED in '08 political organization, is the latest attempt at igniting a national debate about the need to put more emphasis on math and science education if the United States is to remain competitive in a global economy. But supporters of the film acknowledge they face an uphill climb to make education a central issue in the presidential race.
Call for Major Science Campaign
Oct 9 2007 - BBC News
Although it has a good science record, a new government report says the United Kingdom needs to increase its efforts to teach science and technology if the country is going to hold its place in the global economy. The report noted efforts are needed to address the shortage of science specialists. Teachers should be given financial incentives and newly qualified teachers mentored, according to the study. The report also noted a decrease in public funding for science in recent years.
Science Teaching Reform Too Fast, Warn Experts
May 4 2007 - The Guardian (London, England)
Government changes to science lessons for 11-to-14-year-olds due to come in next year are happening to quickly, according to scientists in the United Kingdom. The reforms, designed to make the subject more appealing to young people, are likely to have the opposite effect, according to the Science Community Partnership Supporting Education, an alliance of organizations devoted to promoting and developing science education.
Pay Pupils to Take Science and Math
Apr 12 2007 - The Telegraph (United Kingdom)
A-level students should be paid to pass their math and science exams, according to a new report by the Council for Industry and Higher Education (CIHE). The CIHE is calling for the government to act on the decreasing numbers of students choosing to study science, technology, engineering, and math subjects at the A-level.
India Attracts Universities From the U.S.
Mar 26 2007 - New York Times (Requires free registration)
American universities, eager to expand to markets abroad, are setting their sights on India. Approximately 40% of the population is under 18 in India and a scarcity of higher education opportunities in the country is frequently cited as a potential hurdle to economic progress.
Universities 'Are Duping Students With Homeopathy Science Degrees'
Mar 22 2007 - The Independent (London, England)
British universities offering science degrees in homeopathy and other forms of complementary medicine are accused of duping students into believing they are scientific. A University College London pharmacologist says there is no scientific evidence that homeopathy is effective or to suggest that it can be called a “science.” Writing in the journal Nature, David Colquhoun, said last December British universities advertised 61 courses in complementary medicine, 45 of which were Bachelor of Science degrees. In a separate report, Nature says many scientists and advocates of evidence-based medicine believe that giving homeopathy a scientific status alongside physics, chemistry, and biology is unjustified.
Asian Educators Looking to Loudoun for an Edge
Mar 19 2007 - Washington Post (Requires free registration)
Students in a Virginia laboratory studied tiny genetically altered plants one recent afternoon, drawing leaves and writing data in logbooks. Meanwhile, visiting scientists studied the students. The scientists had come from the island nation of Singapore to the Academy of Science in Sterling in search of ways to improve their teaching.
U.S. School and Portugal Sign an Agreement
Mar 15 2007 - Science Daily
The government of Portugal has joined with the University of Texas at Austin for a five-year research collaboration. University of Texas at Austin and Portuguese officials say their efforts will emphasize education and research in digital media, advanced computing, mathematics, and the commercialization of science and technology.
Teacher Colleges Face Glut
Mar 12 2007 - Toronto Star (Canada)
Thousands of aspiring teachers are finding closed doors at education colleges and only part-time positions at Ontario schools, completely opposite the scenario of a decade ago. Across the province, more than 16,000 candidates have applied to teachers’ colleges for spots beginning this fall, an increase of 113% over the past decade. However, less than half will get in, according to various sources.
Out of Touch Teachers Hobble Science Studies
Mar 5 2007 - Sydney Morning Herald (Australia)
An aging workforce and rapid advances in technology could have a serious impact on science teaching, an analysis commissioned by the Australian federal government warns. The study concludes, “It is probable that a significant proportion of science teachers may be out of touch with contemporary science and also lack the skills to change their teaching to meet new challenges.” The report’s authors have sought submissions on the document, which will be used to help prepare a science education framework for the country’s education department.
Ontario Eyes Adding Environmental Studies to School Curriculums
Mar 1 2007 - The Globe and Mail (Toronto, Canada)
School officials in Ontario, Canada, are looking at offering an across-the-board environmental curriculum in their public schools. Environmental sciences were deleted from coursework in 1998.
Teaching of Languages and Science at University Suffers
Feb 9 2007 - The Independent (United Kingdom)
New research reveals evidence of a dramatic decline in the provision of key science subjects and modern languages at the university level in the United Kingdom. The research, which compares university provisions in 2007 with a decade ago, reveals that chemistry has been the worst hit, with a 31% decline in courses from 62 to 43. The number of physics courses dropped by 14% to 44. Of the sciences, only biology experienced an increase.
Lure for Math, Science Students
Feb 1 2007 - Canberra News (Australia)
With the average math or science degree costing $21,000, Australian officials have promised to reduce the Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS) debt contribution for math and science students from $7,118 to $3,998 a year, starting in 2009. The group behind the plan would also pay half of the HECS repayments of math and science students who went into teaching or who worked in related fields where there was a skills shortage. HECS repayments are about 4% of a graduate's income.
International Educators Debate in Cuba
Jan 31 2007 - Prensa Latina (Cuba)
More than 5,000 delegates are discussing various education issues at the 2007 International Pedagogue Congress taking place in Havana, Cuba. The scientific program is designed to seek forms of cooperation in research.
Universities Unite for Joint Physics School
Jan 25 2007 - The Guardian (United Kingdom)
Birmingham, Nottingham, and Warwick universities plan to create a joint graduate school for physics. The Midlands Physics Alliance will bring together academics from all three institutions to undertake large–scale research and attract the best students from around the world to develop and train the next generation of scientists.
20 Years to Revive Science Courses
Jan 19 2007 - The Australian
Redesigning school science courses to focus on everyday science rather than textbook theory is a national priority to turn around the 20-year deficit in Australia's scientific knowledge. The plan is in response to a report from the World Economic Forum that ranked the quality of Australia's math and science education 29th out of 125 countries.
Science in the Spotlight
Dec 14 2006 - Educational Leadership
With an increased emphasis on testing science achievement comes a corresponding need to make science interesting and exciting to students. The authors of the latest issue of Educational Leadership shine a light on science education, discussing the demand for more rigorous science teaching in classrooms, the professional development science teachers require, and the need to share best practices internationally.
Russia Teen Sues Over Evolution Teaching
Dec 13 2006 - Yahoo News
A Russian court recently held hearings in an unprecedented lawsuit initiated by a 15-year-old student who says being taught the theory of evolution in school violates her rights and insults her religious beliefs. The suit is the first of its kind in Russia.
Pop Songs are Weird Science
Dec 9 2006 - The Australian
Nobel Prize-winning scientist Peter Doherty and other Australian scientists say Queensland's science curriculum, which requires students to explore the historical and cultural factors influencing scientific thought, reflects a "relativist philosophy" that is undermining the traditional evidenced-based approach. Doherty says science is a specialized "way of looking at the world" and not just "another body of knowledge."
First Subjects Get Green Light for GCSE Assessment
Oct 10 2006 - The Guardian (London, England)
A British exam board has unveiled the first online General Certificate of Secondary Education exam for environmental and land–based science, with modern foreign languages likely to be the next subjects scheduled to switch to electronic assessment. The new science test will include a mix of multiple choice questions scored by computer and short answers reviewed by moderators.
Teachers 'Scared' of Math and Science
Aug 24 2006 - The Australian
The state of math and science education needs improvement, according to the president of the Australian Academy of Science. Kurt Lambeck says that math and science need to be a part of every student’s daily primary school education. Lambeck noted, however, that is failing to happen because teachers are scared to teach math and science and do not fully understand the two subjects. Meanwhile, government officials are developing an Australian Schools Science Education Framework to map key school science initiatives, identify gaps, and recommend action to improve science education.
Call to Attract More Math, Science Students
Aug 17 2006 - The Australian
Unless South Australia’s review of the secondary school curriculum produces more science and math students, universities will be forced to extend courses or drop subjects. University of South Australia Pro–Vice Chancellor Peter Lee says the measures would be necessary if the review did not turn around the current shortage of students. But Lee added the review is in the preliminary stages and noted, “we don’t have any concerns yet.”
Spark Needed to Keep Kids Keen on Science
Aug 14 2006 - The Australian
Jonathan Osborne, chairman of science education at King’s College in London, will tell a conference today that the way science is taught in schools creates students who are poorly educated and ambivalent towards the subject. The conference, to be opened in Canberra by federal Education and Science Minister Julie Bishop, is being hosted by the Australian Council for Educational Research to examine ways of improving science teaching and ending the decline in science students.
Schools 'Letting Down UK Science'
Aug 14 2006 - BBC News
The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) says United Kingdom schools are failing to produce an adequate number of scientists. The CBI estimates that the United Kingdom will need 2.4 million more people to work in scientific jobs by 2014. But the number of A–level students taking physics decreased by 56% in 20 years. In chemistry, the decline was 37%, according to the CBI. School officials say increasing the number of scientists and making science “a more attractive option” for students is a top priority.
International Rebound
Aug 9 2006 - Inside Higher Ed
New data being released by the Council of Graduate Schools shows a continued increase in foreign enrollments in American graduate education. Both the total number of foreign applications for graduate school and admission offers in the United States increased by 12%. Based on subjects, the council’s survey found the most dramatic increase in admission offers to engineering students. Debra W. Stewart, the council’s president, noted that the increase could partially be attributed to improvements in the visa system.
Scientists Urge Evolution Lessons
Jun 22 2006 - BBC News
A statement signed by representatives of 67 national science academies says evidence on the origins of life is being “concealed, denied, or confused” in some classes. The statement lists key facts on evolution that “scientific evidence has never contradicted.” Yves Quere, co-chair of the Inter Academy Panel on International Issues, the global network of science academies, said the statement reflects growing concern within the scientific community that students are not being taught basic facts on evolution and the nature of scientific inquiry.
Fall in Math Studies to Hit Skills
Jun 6 2006 - The Australian
Engineers and scientists in Australia are worried about a drop in the number of twelfth graders taking high level math courses. A study by the International Center of Excellence for Education revealed a 20% decrease in the number of twelfth graders taking such classes. Australia’s chief engineering executive Peter Taylor says the decline in math skills is a worrying trend because the federal government and state governments in several localities are starting major infrastructure projects. “There are not enough engineers around to implement these projects,” Taylor said. Officials are also worried because math skills are needed for emerging technologies.
Chinese and Indian Pupils 'Most Likely to Pick Science'
May 9 2006 - The Independent (United Kingdom)
New research shows that students of Chinese and Indian origin are more likely to pursue a science degree compared to other ethnic groups. Students from Asian communities are most attracted to medicine. Black Caribbean students, however, show a strong aversion to both physics and chemistry. These findings are part of a research study that discusses the university options pursued by Britain’s various ethnic groups. The Royal Society of Chemistry and the Institute of Physics published the study.
Science Degrees Threatened
May 4 2006 - BBC News
A new report says that university science is in danger and that government officials lack the power to save courses. Exeter University, King’s College London, Queen Mary London, and Swansea University have closed their chemistry departments. Sussex University has proposed the idea of closing its chemistry department. The head of Bristol University’s School of Chemistry Guy Orpen noted “it was ironic this was happening when applications for undergraduate places were rising.”
Focus on the Future of Science in Arab World
Mar 27 2006 - The Gulf Times
Qatar plans to host a conference to enable Arab expatriate experts to explore opportunities for scientific research and partnerships. Delegates at the two-day event will exchange views on the future of science in the Arab world. The focus will be on key sectors of research such as technology, medical sciences, environmental science, and information technology.
International Rebound
Mar 23 2006 - Inside Higher Ed
New figures show that foreign applications to graduate schools in the United States have increased by 11%. The increase follows a two-year cumulative decline in such applications, which are of particular importance to graduate schools in engineering and science. The data comes at a time when international education issues continue to capture the attention of many educators and lawmakers. The leaders of six major higher education associations sent a letter this week to the U.S. secretaries of state and education, outlining steps that could be taken to build on the recent summit meeting on international education.
In Water War, Teens Stick to Solutions
Mar 23 2006 - CBS News/Christian Science Monitor
Students from more than 30 foreign countries are participating in the Children’s Water Forum while water experts meet in Mexico City to debate the world’s daunting water crisis. While the adults argue over ideological differences, the students showcase grass-roots efforts that help reach those hardest hit by the lack of safe water and basic sanitation.
Students Take on World's Challenges
Mar 22 2006 - Christian Science Monitor
A new initiative is allowing students at schools in the United States to work with their peers in foreign countries. Organized by the National Association of Independent Schools, Challenge 20/20 engages students as young as prekindergarten in finding local ways to address 20 urgent issues after they have thought about them first on a global level. The inspiration for this initiative is the book High Noon: 20 Global Problems, 20 Years to Solve Them, by former World Bank vice president Jean-Francois Rischard.
Update or Face Sack, Teachers Told
Mar 3 2006 - The Australian
Australian math and science teachers would be forced to learn the latest advances in their fields or risk losing their jobs under a tough new plan being proposed in Victoria. The reforms would also include a more consistent curriculum across the state and slashing the cost of math and science degrees in a bid to lure more students to those programs. Under the proposed professional development system, math and science teachers would risk deregistration unless they progressed through a points-based system to further their education.
U.S. Overseas Schools Have Two-Fold Mission
Jan 19 2006 - Washington Post (Requires free registration)
Although originally established to assure State Department employees that every post would have at least one appropriate school for US dependents, the Office of Overseas Schools "engages in a little foreign policy by seeding such schools with the philosophy and methods of American education," writes Christopher Lee. He quotes Keith Miller, the director of the program, "The hallmark of a US education is critical thinking. So the mission of this office is not just to have schools for US citizens but to have models of education for others. It's a twofold thing." The $9 million budget of this office has far-reaching effects; it awards grants of $10,000 to $150,000 a year to 194 schools in 134 countries. These independently operated schools offer instruction in English. They enroll 107,448 children of a variety of nationalities, including more than 29,000 US citizens.
Israel's Technoda Center for Education in Science and Technology To Build New Campus
Jan 19 2006 - Jerusalem Post
Originally built to provide extracurricular science classes for immigrant and disadvantaged children in the neighborhood, the regional center provides enrichment and extracurricular programs for over 10,000 children annually. The growth has been so significant that a new campus is under construction. According to a recent article in the Jerusalem Post, "On completion, the new Technoda and the Harry Kay Stellar Observatory will be an attraction in the Givat Olga section of Hadera, drawing tens of thousands of children and their families from all over Israel and earning the city recognition as a leader in science and technology education."
Professional Development Through Lesson Study
Jan 10 2006 - NSTA President-Michael Padilla
In keeping with my presidential theme of promoting international science education, I want to focus on a type of inservice program I observed recently in Japan called lesson study. All of the teachers in an elementary school I visited collaborated to plan and teach a lesson, then evaluated what happened. What amazed me was not the fact that the teachers were involved in high-quality professional development—that happens nationwide and worldwide. What struck me was that the teachers made all the decisions about what they were going to study and how they were going to do so.
USA Losing Its Advantage Drawing Foreign Students
Jan 6 2006 - USA Today
Rising U.S. tuitions, increased tension between foreign countries and the United States, and post Sept. 11 related immigration issues have all fed a decline in foreign student enrollment. The consequences have resulted in President Bush to call for more federal spending on language training, the recruitment of foreign language experts to teach in America, and a streamlining of immigration regulations to allow more students to study here. And some observers say without foreign students, many science programs will suffer.
China Seeks Elite University Status
Dec 13 2005 - Register-Guard-Eugene, Oregon (Requires free registration)
China wants to transform its top universities into the world’s best within a decade, and is spending billions of dollars to attract big-name scholars and build first-class research laboratories to accomplish this effort. The country is focusing on science and technology, areas that reflect China’s development needs, but also mirror the preferences of an authoritarian system that restricts speech. Many Chinese academics note that the biggest drawback to this effort is the lack of academic freedom.
Science 'Must Teach Experiments'
Nov 28 2005 - BBC News
A new report says the United Kingdom’s competitiveness could be threatened by a lack of practical science teaching. The National Endowment for Science, Technology, and the Arts says experiments inspire young scientists. But the organization’s survey of 510 science teachers found two-thirds of educators lacked time for experiments, while many said safety rules deterred them. A previous survey found fear over students’ misbehavior was the main reason why many schools canceled hands-on science activities. Government officials say a new curriculum in 2006 will address concerns over a lack of classroom time for experiments.
Staff 'Crisis' Threatens Physics
Nov 21 2005 - BBC News
A new report says the British government must take “urgent action” to handle the severe shortage of physics teachers or the subject will be eliminated from schools. Representatives from Buckingham University studied 432 schools and colleges in England and Wales and found 38% fewer students were taking A–level physics than in 1990. The number of new physics teachers dropped from about a third of the science total to 12.8% over the same period. Government officials say they are working hard to reverse a long-term trend.
Commentary: Making Future Moon Rovers Good Enough to Eat?
Oct 26 2005 - ABC News
Dashboards out of Fiber One breakfast cereal? Tires out of chocolate? Rocket fuel out of beans? ABC News columnist Lee Dye explains Walter Smith’s goal of creating an edible lunar vehicle in this commentary. Smith, a professor at Ball State University in Indiana, is building the edible vehicle with help from his students at Ball State and elementary pupils in Australia. “It’s a lot of fun,” observed Smith, who noted that future space expeditions could be enhanced if some parts of lunar vehicles were made out of edible materials.
Universities to Protect Subjects
Sep 29 2005 - BBC News
Representatives from a dozen universities are considering joint efforts to protect core subjects that have struggled to attract students. Schools have faced department closures in physics, chemistry, math, and languages. Earlier this year, England’s funding council warned that departments of threatened subjects might have to merge in order to have sufficient numbers to maintain viable departments and research staff. University representatives say they hope to put a “solid bid” before the funding council to protect such courses.
Students Prepare to Launch Homemade Satellite
Sep 21 2005 - Space.com
A microsatellite built largely from donated parts in university workshops across Europe is set for launch next week. The Student Space Exploration Technology Initiative Express is about the size of a small washing machine. Constructed by more than 400 students from 23 universities in 12 countries, the spacecraft will take photographs of Earth, test a cold-gas altitude control system and function as a radio transponder for amateur radio operators. The spacecraft will also serve as a mothership for three picosatellites built by universities in Germany, Japan, and Norway.
A-Level Science Slump 'Must End'
Aug 17 2005 - BBC News
The Royal Society says the decline in the number of students taking A–level physics, chemistry, and math classes cannot continue. The society’s president, Lord May of Oxford, has called for action on the matter. But the British government says science subject applications are a priority and have increased by 10% this year. Nonetheless, government officials plan to encourage students over the age of 16 to take more science and engineering classes.
Teachers Dig Deep to Pay for Supplies
Aug 10 2005 - Salt Lake Tribune (Utah)
Teachers nationwide are spending an average of $458 of their own money each year to pay for school supplies, according to a survey by the National School Supplies and Equipment Association. In Utah, for example, parents and the public try to help, but educators continue to be out of their own money. Classroom supplies most requested by teachers include paper and writing materials. Tools such as glue sticks, safety scissors, calculators, erasers, paper clips, staplers and staples, as well as transparencies are also needed. Other requested supplies include boxes of tissues, paper towels, and blank compact discs.
Science Dull and Hard, Pupils Say
Jun 17 2005 - BBC News
A new survey suggests 51 percent of British teens think science lessons are boring, confusing, or difficult. The report also found the number of students choosing to study physics and chemistry in school and at the university level is falling. A portion of students surveyed said they thought the singer Madonna and explorer Christopher Columbus were scientists. When asked to name a famous scientist, 39 percent of respondents suggested Isaac Newton while 29 percent said Albert Einstein. Marie Curie, Charles Darwin, and Alexander Fleming were also on the list.
Teens' Science Scores Slip
Jun 16 2005 - The Globe and Mail-Canada (Requires free registration)
A nationwide science test taken by Canadian students shows a decline in test scores. Observers say a rash of retirements among veteran science teachers, an outdated test, and an increased focus on basic skills is to blame. “There’s been a lot of hype about literacy and numeracy,” explains Terry Price, president of the Canadian Teachers’ Federation. “That’s where everything has shifted. The focus has shifted there, funds have shifted to there, and time has shifted to there.”
Public 'Must Engage With Science'
Mar 14 2005 - BBC News
The United Kingdom’s Trade and Industry Secretary wants citizens to become more engaged with science. Patricia Hewitt’s request comes after a public poll revealed that 40 percent of British adults consider themselves well informed about science. The poll also showed seven out of 10 adults believe the media sensationalizes science issues. British science officials hope that programs such as Sciencewise (an effort that supports discussions about scientific issues) and National Science Week will encourage more citizens to become involved in science.
USA Losing Its Advantage Drawing Foreign Students
Jan 6 2005 - USA Today
Rising U.S. tuitions, increased tension between foreign countries and the United States, and post Sept. 11 related immigration issues have all fed a decline in foreign student enrollment. The consequences have resulted in President Bush to call for more federal spending on language training, the recruitment of foreign language experts to teach in America, and a streamlining of immigration regulations to allow more students to study here. And some observers say without foreign students, many science programs suffer.
Out of the Equation
Jan 4 2005 - The Guardian (London)
In an in-depth look into the reasons behind the physics crisis in British schools, reporter John Crace finds the subject suffered when the national curriculum was broadened and GSCE science exams were retooled in the early 1990s. Further compounding the problem, those few physics students graduating from universities today are shunning teaching to pursue better-paying jobs in other fields.
Math Educators Find Common Denominators
Dec 21 2004 - Washington Post (requires free registration)
A "peace summit" was held in Washington, DC, in an attempt to make sense of seemingly contradictory results from recent international studies of science and math education and find good practices for US students that all educators can agree on. There was more agreement than some participants imagined possible, suggesting that they may be moving toward a "centrist position." Among the topics they said they agreed on were (1) heavy reliance on calculators in the early elementary grades is a bad idea; (2) elementary school children must have automatic recall of number facts, which involves memorization of multiplication tables, for example; (3) children must master basic algorithms.
University Confirms Subject Cuts
Dec 20 2004 - BBC News
The governing body of a British university has decided to eliminate the teaching of chemistry and music. Exeter University’s full council ratified an earlier decision by its senate Dec. 20 to stop teaching the two subjects. The school, however, says it wants to expand its biology and geography departments. Several other British universities have similar plans to cut or add science programs, according to a BBC survey.
'Halt Science Decline in Schools'
Oct 3 2004 - BBC News
A top British professor claims Britain will run out of world-leading scientists unless more interest is shown in science education. “We are a vanishing breed if we don’t have people coming through the system,” said Colin Pillinger, who led the Beagle 2 mission to Mars. Pillinger has urged ministers to work harder to keep Britain at the forefront of scientific discoveries and promote space exploration. A Department of Education spokesman says science was a “central priority” for teaching 11-14 year-olds, after figures revealed test scores fell this year. The department plans to continue making science education a top priority and address the need to recruit science teachers.
Women in Science Get Centre Boost
Sep 17 2004 - BBC News
More than a 100 British women have helped to launch a resource center for females working in the science, engineering, and technology professions as a way to combat a lack a female representation in these fields. The new center will focus on ensuring more girls and women pursue degrees in science, engineering, and technology, and stay in those professions.
Serbia Reverses Darwin Suspension
Sep 9 2004 - BBC News
The Serbian government has agreed to reverse an order to ban the teaching of Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution in schools, after several protests from scientists, teachers, and others. Bishop Ignjatije, an influential figure in the Orthodox Church, noted that Darwin has a place in the classroom. Darwin, said Ignjatije, “spoke about ways that humans and the rest of the nature are connected. The connection must not be ignored by anybody, not even by us theologists.”
US Physics Teachers Volunteer in AIDS-Ravaged Zambia
Sep 7 2004 - Physics Today
A group of physics teachers from the United States is reaching out to educators in Zambia to help them teach science. The American teachers—working with a $50,000 grant from Hampton University’s Physics Frontier Center—are hoping to keep science alive in the classroom since an AIDS epidemic has claimed the lives of thousands of Zambia’s teachers. “We’re not trying to take jobs away from Zambian teachers, but at this time, where they are having such dramatic teaching shortages, this is a way of keeping up the quality of the education,” noted Maria Niland, a program organizer.
A Group of 60 Teacher Trainers Leaves for US
Sep 3 2004 - Pakistan Link
A group of 60 teacher trainers from Pakistan will soon travel to the United States to receive training in math, science, and English, thanks to a program funded by the United States Agency for International Development. Each of the educators will be trained in pedagogy, planning, leadership, communication, and computer skills. The teacher trainers will also visit schools and teacher training facilities while in the United States.
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