Shaping the Future of Undergraduate Science, Mathematics, Engineering and Technology Education

Managing Reform

Assessing Success

Harnessing Technology

University of Nebraska-Lincoln

May 28-30, 1998

This conference will take a broad view of various reform efforts, both those based in the traditional disciplines and those that take an institution-wide perspective, in light of the recommendations posed in the "Shaping the Future: New Expectations in Undergraduate Science, Engineering, and Technology Education" report, published by the National Science Foundation in 1996. We will also focus on three key issues: the preparation of future K-12 science and math teachers, the problem of assessment of SME&T reform, and the role of technology. We plan to have presentations from a variety of discipline-based reform efforts and from several colleges and universities that have undertaken significant institution-wide reform of SME&T education. We will also have presentations that survey the assessment issue, including representatives from professional accrediting and testing agencies such as ABET and MCAT. One afternoon's sessions will be devoted to the issue of technology in undergraduate SME&T education, including opportunities for the participants to experience first-hand several innovative teaching methods that use technology to enhance student learning. Two-year colleges, four-year colleges and research universities are encouraged to send teams of faculty and administrators with primary responsibilities in the SME&T area. There will be many opportunities for small group discussions with the goal of having each team develop a plan for at least one SME&T innovation to be undertaken at their home institution in the short term and the outline of plans for longer-range efforts to improve undergraduate SME&T education.

Online registration is now available. Lodging arrangements can be made directly with The Cornhusker Hotel.

Note: Due to generous funding from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the Nebraska Math and Science Initiative and the National Science Foundation, the deadline for requesting support with early registration has been extended to May 8.

For further information about Shaping the Future, you may look at

• a more detailed description,
• a list of speakers and workshops,
• a tentative schedule,
• the themes and topics,
• online registration,
• a list of the advisory committee,
• a list of the steering committee.

For the national picture, the National Science Foundation has many resources.