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Session 3532

Integrating Engineering into the Secondary School Curriculum -- A New Approach

Thomas G. Johnson

Computer Engineering and Computer Science Department California State University, Long Beach

Abstract

The realization that a secondary school education often provides very little exposure to what an engineer actually does at work has led the Computer Engineering and Computer Science Department of the California State University, Long Beach to approach this problem in a novel way. Specifically, we have designed a new single subject degree option, a BS in Engineering, Option in Technology and Engineering Education, which prepares middle school and high school teachers to integrate technology into the current California curriculum of mathematics and science. The goal is to develop a credentialed teacher who understands the engineering discipline and its reliance on and development of technology and can convey the utility and rewards of a career choice in the field of engineering to the college-bound student.

Introduction

Many K-12 educators do not know what engineers do and probably have not met an engineer. So far there has been a sort of band-aid approach to the problem of role models for K-12 students. Outreach programs exist including those from public and private organizations like ASEE, MESA, IEEE, NASA, and Boeing. Engineering Information Foundation and Project Lead The Way are involved in activities to promote engineering in the pre-college education system. However, in spite of all of these efforts, enrollments in engineering programs are still falling. With the allotment of H-1b visas rising from 65,00 in 1998 to 195,000 in 2001, there are concerns about the lack of interest and preparation of American students especially in the engineering fields.

This paper discusses another approach to informing K-12 students about engineering as a creative and fulfilling career choice. Presently, three factors suggest a means of encouraging California’s students to be engineers:

• The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing has rewritten the subject matter requirements for the Industrial and Technology Education single-subject teaching credential placing an emphasis on technology. • The current California K-12 curriculum is already very full and well defined.

Proceedings of the 2003 American Society for Engineering Education Annual

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Johnson, T. (2003, June), The Integration Of Engineering Into The Secondary School Curriculum A New Approach Paper presented at 2003 Annual Conference, Nashville, Tennessee. 10.18260/1-2--11679