The Third National
Science, Technology, Society (STS) Conference

TECHNOLOGICAL LITERACY

February 5-7, 1988
Arlington, VA

Conference Theme: Technology, Democracy and Development

Co-sponsored by: American Assoc. for the Adv. of Science,
American Society for Engineering Educ., International
Technology Education Association, National Council of Teachers
of English, National Council for the Social Studies, National
Science Teacher's Association. Supported by The Carnegie
Corporation and The National Science Foundation.

TECHNOLOGICAL LITERACY - Essential for a functioning democracy
and balanced development.

The average citizen is being gradually, imperceptibly
disenfranchised by her or his own technological illiteracy.
Decisions are made neither by citizens nor their elected
representatives, but by technical experts mediated by special
staffs and cultural biases, fed by a sensation-oriented press.

The task of raising every citizen's COMFORT with the
technologies they encounter daily, COMPETENCE in those that are
necessary for their livelihood, and sense of CONTROL over those
that affect life and death decisions is the task of EDUCATORS
from kindergarten to graduate school, ENGINEERS AND SCIENTISTS
who bear a unique and special responsibility as the prime
movers of those changes, the MEDIA which filter the meaning of
science and technology for the masses, and PUBLIC SERVANTS who
today control those powerful engines of change.

This conference will highlight:

DEMOCRACY:

* how to increase citizen awareness of technology-laden
public issues

* restoration of democratic practice through citizen
participation in major decisions

* threats to democracy associated with new technologies

DEVELOPMENT

* critique of the ideas of "development" and "progress"

* perspectives on U.S. industrial competetiveness,
technology, and Third World development from leaders in
government and industry

* STS guidelines for balanced, sustainable, equitable
development

EDUCATION

* status of new initiatives in science, technology, social
studies and mathematics education

* role of informal, non-classroom learning

* technological literacy for women and minorities

* teaching about ethical and value issues of science and
technology

* special responsibilities of scientists and engineers

************************************************************

This rich program is *very* inexpensive because it is
subsidized to promote maximum participation. Registration is
$80 and rooms are available at the Crystal Gateway Marriott
Hotel at a special conference rate of $69/night per room.

CALL FOR PAPERS/WORKSHOPS: Send 250 word abstract by November
15th to: Leonard Waks, TLC Program Chair 128 Willard Building
Penn State University University Park, PA 16802 (814) 865-9951