A Case for Engineering in K-12

A Case for Engineering in K-12

In order to meet the forecasted demands for U.S. Labor in technical areas that require scientific and mathematical training, it is imperative that educators and students begin to understand STEM professions and the role of engineers. By advocating science and math in a more holistic, inclusive and social context, more students will develop confidence in these subjects and be prepared to pursue a career in engineering. This article is useful for parents, educators, counselors, and administrators.

What is Design? Design is Creativity Unleashed

Design is Creativity Unleashed

Can you teach creativity in design? YES! By providing opportunity for students to learn to construct their own problems and to become comfortable with ambiguity all within an environment that fosters independent resourcefulness, a student can develop creativity. If we want to educate engineers to be expert designers, it is best to start this process early so that it becomes an adaptive expertise.

Model Eliciting Activity: Green Roof

Green Roof MEA

This is a model eliciting activity for high school students who have had algebra, examining rooftop gardens for commercial buildings. Model-eliciting activities (MEAs) are activities that encourage students to invent and test models. They are posed as open-ended problems that are designed to challenge students to build models in order to solve complex, real-world problems.

Evaluation Framework for Engineering Education Curriculum

Evaluation Framework for Engineering Education Curriculum

This paper introduces a framework and rubric for evaluation of K-12 engineering education curriculum, based on engineering education literature and the Wiggins & McTighe process known as Backwards Design. This process is an alignment of content, assessment, and pedagogy, the three components used as the measure of quality programmatic elements. The rubric defined in this paper will be useful to teachers, administrators, and curriculum developers of engineering education curriculum.

What is Engineering? A workshop model for K-6 Counselors

What is Engineering? A workshop for K-6 grade school counselors

If children begin career development in elementary school, then it is important for their teachers and counselors to be prepared to introduce all types of careers, especially those that will help us meet the demands of a rapidly changing world such as engineering and science. This proposal for a professional development workshop for K-6 grade school […]

What is Engineering? A Definition of the Profession

What is Engineering? A Definition of the Profession

 Author Meagan Ross, through a brief examination of literature related to the history and philosophy of engineering, describes how engineering is different from science, how engineering is a process of design, and engineering is a valued profession. This brief white paper is a great tool for educators, counselors, and parents who are seeking to understand […]

What is Engineering Education? A Foundation

What is Engineering Education? Engineering Education as a Foundation

Author Meagan Ross, in a poignant metaphor, describes an education in engineering as the ultimate foundation. Through personal reflection  of her own experiences in engineering education, she inserts the work of Louis Buccarelli, the National Academy of Engineering Reports related to Engineering Education, and the Svinicki & Dixon modified Kolb model to craft a beautiful […]

What is Education? Education is the Ticket…

What is Education?

 A poignant metaphor relating education to a ticket that one first discovers, then earns through formal education and personal enriching experiences, and cashes in for life’s adventures. The writings of Nel Noddings, Donald Schon, and Palmer Parker are interlaced throughout this article, presenting a personal reflection and opinion on the value of education.

Technology Provides Enhanced Capabilities for Educating Learners

Technology Provides Enhanced Capabilities for Educating Learners

Technology provides enhanced capabilities for educating learners, and schools should embrace these capabilities to reshape education and to prepare students for the changing world. Collins & Halverson (2009) identify these enhanced capabilities as “just-in-time” learning, customization, learner control, interaction, scaffolding, games & simulation, multimedia, publication, and reflection. These nine enhanced capabilities were aligned with established […]