Fond du Lac School District

ABSTRACTTraditional science classroom activities rely on topics and experiments that are distant from the forefront of scientific research. As a result, students view science as stagnant and far removed from real life. Through a National Science Foundation-funded Research Experiences for Teachers (RET) program, we at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW) Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC) work with secondary teachers to transform cutting-edge research in nanoscale science and engineering into curriculum that is appropriate for middle- and high-school classrooms. This benefits everyone involved: teachers learn about innovative science and the process of research; UW MRSEC personnel learn about science education and the state of today's schools; and students get to test and engage with new curriculum about breakthrough research. This past summer our RET participants conducted research on and developed curriculum about “smart” papers with microencapsulation technology, fuel cells, nano biosensors and liquid crystals, glassy metals, and Wells models.

The objective of this project was to profile the statewide enforcement of laws prohibiting sales of tobacco to minors and purchasing/possession of tobacco by minors in 1996. A sample of Wisconsin cities or villages (n = 86) were surveyed on adoption of pertinent state statutes as local ordinances and the number of recorded violations. About 70% of municipalities have passed illegal sales ordinances and about 80% have passed purchase/possession ordinances. Over 6,000 citations were issued to minors in 1996 for purchase/possession of tobacco and 67 citations were issued for illegal sales to minors. By extrapolation, we estimate that there is approximately one commercial selling citation issued for every 112,000 packs of cigarettes sold to minors. We discuss this disparity and submit that a shift in enforcement, to commercial sellers, is needed to help reduce the increasing use of tobacco by minors.

More than 2,000 students in two Wisconsin communities were surveyed on their tobacco use and acquisition habits. The results indicate a defined pattern of acquisition across the three grade levels surveyed. Eighth grade tobacco users buy or "bum" tobacco from friends but also use a wide variety of methods and sources. Tenth and 12th grade tobacco users primarily purchase tobacco from businesses. About one third of 8th grade tobacco users regularly buy from vending machines and almost half of the 8th and 10th grade tobacco users in one of the communities have shoplifted tobacco during the past year, with 12% most often obtaining tobacco in this manner. These patterns of acquisition may have a contributory effect on the high prevalence of adolescent tobacco use reported in both communities. The results argue for meaningful enforcement of laws prohibiting tobacco sales to minors and the elimination of self-service sales of tobacco products.

Since it was first described a century ago, the phenomenon of the idiot savant--the juxtaposition of severe mental handicap and prodigious mental ability--has remained unexplained. The author defines the condition, reviews and summarizes the world literature on this topic since the early reports, describes more recent cases, and catalogs and categorizes idiot savant abilities. Theories to explain the condition are reviewed, newer research findings are highlighted, and the far-reaching implications of the idiot savant syndrome for understanding normal brain function, particularly memory, are outlined.

It is universally recognized that one of the remedies for some of the defects of our present language teaching lies in the improved preparation of those who are to teach foreign language classes. In a recent number of the Journal (October 1928), Professor C. M. Purin set forth the general principles that should underlie a reformation of our teacher-training, and the objectives which such training should endeavor to attain. It will perhaps interest many readers, and it might lead to similar action in other states, if we print here the recommendations submitted by a special committee to the Wisconsin Association of Modern Foreign Language Teachers and ratified by that body at its recent meeting in Milwaukee. EDITOR'S NOTE.