To contribute to the development of science literacy in the general student population, a set of introductory core science courses is being developed that comprehensively address the factors that have been found to promote science interest and learning in undergraduates - namely linking science to important societal issues and minimizing lectures in favor of devoting time to discourse, minilabs, collaborative learning and "hands-on" problem solving activities. The courses are being developed and taught by senior faculty members in the core science departments. These faculty, designated Rutgers Senior Science Teaching Fellows, are also developing and organizing activities that bring information about best practices in science education to other faculty members in their departments. To improve the education of students majoring in science, workshops in each of the core sciences are being developed to prepare students to participate more effectively in undergraduate research experiences with faculty mentors.
