Conference Session

Engineering in the Elementary School

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Elizabeth Parry, North Carolina State University; Laura Bottomley, North Carolina State University; Elizabeth Miars, Rachel Freeman Elementary School; Lizette Day, Rachel Freeman Elementary School

Tagged Divisions

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering

predominantly African American (AA), Limited English Proficient (LEP) and Economically Disadvantaged (ED) populations. One of the earliest successful and widely reported projects was the Valle Imperial Project in El Centro, CA. The implementation of inquiry based science kits using the National Science Resources Center (NSRC) model of exemplary science education (research based curriculum, ongoing professional development, 2 authentic assessment, community support and materials support) resulted in significant 3 increases in not only science achievement, but also reading, math and writing

Conference Session

Engineering Professional Development for K12 Teachers

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Brant Miller, University Of Minnesota; Tamara Moore, University Of Minnesota

Tagged Divisions

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering

complete selected writing prompts to aid the program directors with RET program assessment.The SDSM&T RET program is situated in Rapid City, the second largest city in South Dakota –a state with a total population just below 800,000. Due to the rural nature of the host state andinstitution, the RET program faced unique challenges. For example, the small size of SDSM&Tallowed for a RET program that spanned a variety of departments throughout campus, with noone department having a research agenda robust enough to serve all ten teachers. Distance wasanother factor. Traditionally about half of the teachers involved in the program had residencesbeyond a commutable distance; therefore housing accommodations were secured on

Conference Session

Successful K-12 Programs for Girls & Minorities

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Bruce Gehrig, University of North Carolina at Charlotte; Deborah Sharer, University of North Carolina at Charlotte; Stephen Kuyath, University of North Carolina at Charlotte; Anthony Brizendine, University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Tagged Divisions

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering

theme that changes each year. Individual students write a paper of findings, which is evaluated by a judging committee. Top performers are invited to present their work in a conference format to their parents, teachers, peers and the general public. Page 13.23.4 3. A poster session competition that provides an additional forum for student teams to address the same open-ended problem as the career exploration contest. 4. A civil engineering related project which has included a bridge building contest in which student teams design, analyze and construct bridges to given specifications and then test the

Conference Session

Engineering in Middle Schools

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Christine Schnittka, University of Virginia; Larry Richards, University of Virginia

Tagged Divisions

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering

as students work withtheir teachers and peers 2. When engaged in active learning, students make gains not only incontent knowledge, but in process skills and attitudes towards science. When teachers use acurriculum based on active learning, their behaviors also become more student centered, withless focus on worksheets and lectures, and more focus on lab work and inquiry 3. In general,active learning reaches students who possess a wide variety of learning styles, much more sothan traditional teaching and learning 4.In contrast to traditional lecture-style classrooms, active learning takes place when teachersengage students such that that they think about and perform meaningful activities. This can be assimple as pausing several times during

Conference Session

Engineering Student Involvement in K12 Programs

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Jill Andrews, University of Michigan; Lorelle Meadows, University of Michigan; Joy Oguntebi, University of Michigan

Tagged Divisions

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering

graduate students, whoacted as teaching fellows. At this writing, ten Fellows are currently working during the secondterm 2007-8 with ten YPSD Faculty Affiliates. Fellows contribute time, knowledge, and energyto the classroom to increase student understanding, appreciation, and interest in science,technology, engineering, and mathematics. Each Fellow assists in one or two teachers’classrooms each week for at least two, two-hour periods, along with an additional one to twohours of preparation time outside the classroom. Each team determines the exact role that theFellow will play in the classroom so that each partnership is mutually beneficial. Fellows alsoassist with design and help conduct labs, group work, and class discussions. They are free