Conversations on creating a different classroom climate

Summary form only given, as follows. Recent research paints a rather grim picture of the climate in many science, math, and engineering classrooms. Seymour & Hewitt (1997) reported that between 40 and 60 percent of high ability students switch out of SME disciplines. Tinto (1993) stated that "more students leave college than graduate." Both researchers point to the classroom climate as a principal cause. The presenters in this session will provide a summary of the research, describe (and model) the strategies they use to create a diflerent classroom climate, and engage the audience in a conversation about creating \´friendlier\´ classroom climates.