PHYSICS EDUCATION NEWS (PEN) February 1994, No. 1 An electronic newsletter of the AIP Educ

PHYSICS EDUCATION NEWS (PEN)
February 1994, No. 1

An electronic newsletter of the AIP Education Division

PILOT PROGRAM DESIGNED TO ENHANCE ASTRONOMY EDUCATION
In an effort to enhance the teaching of science in grades 4-9, the
Astronomical Society of the Pacific has started an educational
pilot program called Project Astro.  The program, supported by the
National Science Foundation, will encourage and train amateur and
professional astronomers to form partnerships with teachers in
their local schools.  As part of the project, the Society is
developing up-to-date resource materials and activities that can be
used by both teachers and visiting astronomers.  These materials
can be duplicated for non-commercial purposes, and will be included
in the final version of the Project Resource Notebook, to be
published toward the end of 1994.  Comments and suggestions on the
resource materials are welcome.
(For more information, contact Andrew Fraknoi, Project Astro
Director, Astronomical Society of the Pacific, 390 Ashton Ave., San
Francisco, CA  94112; telephone:  415-337-1100; fax:  415-337-5205;
email:  FRAKNOI%AVAX.DNET@MONAD.FHDA.EDU)

NEW REPORT EXAMINES BARRIERS FOR WOMEN SCIENTISTS AND ENGINEERS
Women comprise only about 12 percent of the employed scientific and
engineering labor force in U.S. industry.  A new report by the
National Research Council's Office of Scientific and Engineering
Personnel (OSEP) examines the factors contributing to this low
number, and presents examples of how six companies have worked to
recruit and retain greater numbers of women scientists and
engineers.  The report, "Women Scientists and Engineers Employed in
Industry:  Why So Few?" is based on a conference organized by
OSEP's Committee on Women in Science and Engineering.
(For ordering information, contact the National Academy Press,
Office of News and Public Information, 2101 Constitution Ave., NW,
Washington, DC  20418; telephone:  800-624-6242)

FREE RESOURCE CATALOG AVAILABLE FROM PBS VIDEO
PBS Video, which distributes videotapes of programs aired on the
Public Broadcasting Service, has released the latest edition of its
PBS Video Resource Catalog.  The free 248-page guide lists more
than 1,200 programs, many of which deal with space and science
related topics, that are available to educational institutions and
libraries.
(For a free copy, contact PBS Video, 1320 Braddock Pl., Alexandria,
VA  22314; telephone:  800-424-7963; fax:  703-739-5269)

1994 SPACE SETTLEMENT DESIGN COMPETITION ANNOUNCED
Engineers from the aerospace and computer industries have assembled
requirements for the 1994 Space Settlement Design Competition,
sponsored by the Spaceweek International Association in Houston,
TX.  Teams of 10 to 20 high school students are invited to prepare
50-page proposals describing a settlement where 15,000 people could
live in Earth's orbit.  Participating teams will consider basic
facility design, construction techniques, allocation of interior
space, human factors, computer and robotics requirements, orbital
mechanics, and methods to provide simulated gravity.  Materials
provided include a description of current technological and space
infrastructure in the simulated year of the competition, 2014, and
a bibliography of reference materials.  Four finalist teams will be
invited to Washington, DC, to compete in a similar industry
simulation game during Spaceweek, July 16-20, 1994.
(For more information or registration materials, contact Spaceweek
International Association, 1110 NASA Road One, Suite 100, Houston,
TX  77058; telephone:  800-20-SPACE)

NAS PROJECT TO CONNECT TEACHERS AND SCIENTISTS
The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) has initiated a new program
to help K-12 teachers in certain cities improve science education
in their classrooms and throughout their districts.  Project RISE
(Regional Initiatives in Science Education) will bring local
scientists and teachers together to discuss the quality of science
instruction and resources in public schools, ways to implement
national reform efforts, professional development opportunities,
and strategies for becoming effective advocates for science
education within their districts and communities.  The project will
foster a national network of scientists and educators, and a
newsletter and possibly an electronic network are in the works.
(For more information, contact Donna M. Gerardi, Program Director,
Commission on Life Sciences, National Research Council, 2101
Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC  20418; telephone:  202-
334-2483)

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American Institute of Physics
Education Division
Contact:  Mr. Tracy Schwab
301-209-3100, ext. 6450
tschwab@aip.org

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