ABSTRACT
Science education in the United States is at a critical crossroads. Our nation is faced with dire challenges that require supporting more sophisticated levels of scientifi c literacy and scientifi c profi ciency than ever before in our history (American Association of Colleges and Universities, 2006). The rise of pandemics such as the H1N1 virus, global climate change, and alternative energy needs are just a few of the critical problems facing our nation and the global community that will require a growing and productive scientifi c community.
