PHYSICS EDUCATION NEWS (PEN) March 1994, No. 2 An electronic newsletter of the AIP Educati

PHYSICS EDUCATION NEWS (PEN)
March 1994, No. 2

An electronic newsletter of the AIP Education Division

NSF ANNOUNCES NEW MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES INITIATIVE
The National Science Foundation (NSF) has announced a new
initiative, Mathematical Sciences and Their Application Throughout
the Curriculum, intended to spur projects that increase student
understanding of the mathematical sciences and their ability to
apply the mathematical sciences in other disciplines.  Initially,
NSF expects to award 10-20 planning grants of up to $50,000 each
for projects that involve a full range of goals such as improving
student learning through alternative instructional practices, and
the effective use of computational technologies.   These planning
grants are expected to provide a basis for the preparation of in-
depth proposals that will lead to several awards of up to $1
million per year for 3-5 years.  Proposals for planning grants are
due June 6, 1994, with full proposals due February 6, 1995.
(Information concerning this new initiative is available in an
addendum to NSF-93-164, and is available by calling 703-306-1669.)

TRIANGLE COALITION RELEASES MEMBER DIRECTORY
The 1993 edition of the Triangle Coalition Member and Affiliate
Directory is now available from the Triangle Coalition for Science
and Technology Education.  The Directory provides in-depth profiles
on Coalition members and affiliates, representing business,
industry, and labor; science and engineering societies; education
associations; four federal agencies; and seventy-one alliance
affiliates.  The Coalition was founded in 1985 to join the ideas,
influence, and resources of national organizations to bring about
the reform of science and technology education.
(For prices and ordering information, contact:  Triangle Coalition
for Science and Technology Education, Attn:  Membership Directory,
5112 Berwyn Road, College Park, MD  20740-4129; 301-220-0870)

PROGRAM PROMOTES SUPERCOMPUTERS IN SCIENCE
The National Educational Supercomputer Program (NESP), administered
by the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, is
designed to promote the use of supercomputers in the classroom. 
The program enables students to create high-quality, nearly 3-D
graphic images that simulate the scientific phenomena discussed in
chemistry and physics classes.  The NESP involves a continuous loop
of work leading to the creation of a supercomputer-rendered graphic
movie that runs on Macintosh or IBM computers.  The applications
combine math, art, science, and engineering.  The software and "on-
line" funding for the program are provided by the Department of
Energy.  Schools, however, must provide their own computer
equipment.  You will need a color Macintosh or IBM compatible
computer with a VGA card and mouse, a telephone line, and a modem.
(For more information, contact:  Brian Lindow, c/o Lawrence
Livermore National Laboratory, Mail Code L-561, P.O. Box 808,
Livermore, CA  94551; 507-294-5464)


COLLEGE FRESHMAN DROP IN PHYSICAL SCIENCE PREPARATION
A comparison of the scholastic achievement of college freshmen in
the fall of 1987 and 1992 indicates that the more recent freshmen
were better prepared in most subjects.  According to UCLA's Higher
Education Research Institute, a higher proportion of 1992 freshmen
had completed or exceeded the recommended years of high school
study in English, Mathematics, Foreign Language, Biology, History,
Art, and Music.  Preparation in Physical Science and Computer
Science, however, experienced a slight drop.  The percentage of
students completing the recommended years of study in Physical
Science fell from 49% in 1987 to 47% in 1992.  In Computer Science,
the percentages fell from 58% in 1987 to 55% in 1992.
(Source:  "The American Freshman:  National Norms for Fall 1992 and
1987," published by HERI, UCLA Graduate School of Education, 405
Hilgard Avenue, Los Angeles, CA  90024)

COMMERCE DEPARTMENT TO AWARD TECHNOLOGY GRANTS
The U.S. Commerce Department has approved a $26 million grant
program to help schools and nonprofit groups improve access to
telecommunications technologies.  As part of its National
Information Infrastructure Initiative, the Department's National
Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) recently
announced that it is accepting proposals from schools, libraries,
and other organizations for technology grants.  The grant program
consists of two separate categories.  The first will support
projects that utilize diverse telecommunications technologies and
can serve as model programs.  The second will support planning
projects that suggest applications of technology at the local,
state, regional, or national level.  Proposals are due May 12,
1994.  Grants are expected to be awarded by September 30, 1994.
(For more information, write:  DLC-NTIA-OTIA, 14th & Constitution
Ave., N.W., Room 4889, Washington, DC  20230; or call 202-482-2048)

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American Institute of Physics
Education Division
Contact:  Mr. Tracy Schwab 
301-209-3007, tschwab@aip.org
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