Situating teachers’ developmental engineering experiences in an inquiry-based,laboratory learning environment

Many secondary math and science teachers don’t understand the nature and application of engineering adequately to transfer that understanding to their students. Research is needed that investigates and illuminates the process and characteristics of development that addresses this gap. This mixed-method study examines the developmental experiences of 16 public math and science teachers in a yearlong engineering experience. Teachers partnered with university engineering professor-mentors for six weeks on campus followed by ongoing support for transfer to their secondary classes (grades 9–12). Teachers gained engineering knowledge and skills, and an understanding of engineering’s diversity and interdisciplinary nature, plus integrative applied strategies for math and science instruction. They developed productive perceptions (of value, utility, benefits, feasibility and fit) of engineering for their grade 9–12 students, along with efficacy and intent to use what they had learned. Teachers identified positive, profound shifts in their perceptions of engineering and engineers. All teachers integrated engineering principles into their classrooms, but the process was more challenging for math teachers than for science teachers. This developmental experience may help bridge gaps of school-to-life and disciplinary boundaries that separate formal educational environments from authentic life experience.     

生物多样性建设要坚持两条腿走路

正在地球漫长的演化历史上,生物界变化万千,忽而竞相勃发,忽而猝然泯灭,各类生灵的演替与更迭,绘就了生生不息的壮阔画卷。植物、动物、微生物多姿多彩,美美与共,不仅赋予这个星球盎然生机,也成为人类经济社会赖以生存和发展的基石。然而,工业文明将人类推上了主宰自然的神坛,人类在毫不吝惜地利用物种资源的同时,也让生命家园遭到破坏。越来越多的生物在人类攫取自然的欢呼中默默消失,成为这个星球永远的过客。最新研究表明,当前全球物种灭绝速度已经达到自然灭绝速度的几百至上千倍,并有继续加剧的趋势。人类在不经意间已然走到了毁灭和救赎的十字路口:继续充当第六次生物大灭绝的推手,还是重新追求人与自然和谐相处的温情?     

Transport？ Transportation？——5个你不一定知道的英美英语区别

到英国和美国的异同时．长期居住在英国的爱尔兰作家王尔德（Oscar Wilde）曾经说过：“We have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course,the language.（现如今,我们实际上与美国的一切都是相同的,除了语言之外。）”也许,你知道许多英式英语与美式英语的区别．但下面这五组区别你却不一定知道;或许连很多母语是英语的人们也不曾注意到……