Conference Session

Assessment of K-12 Engineering Programs and Issues

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

John Carpinelli, New Jersey Institute of Technology; Howard Kimmel, New Jersey Institute of Technology; Linda Hirsch, New Jersey Institute of Technology; Levelle Burr-Alexander, New Jersey Institute of Technology; Ronald Rockland, New Jersey Institute of Technology; Mark OShea, CSU Monterey Bay

Tagged Divisions

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering

Engineering Education, 2008 A Rubric to Evaluate Standard-Based Lesson Plans and Students’ Achievement of the StandardAbstractStandards-based lesson plans requires a different way of planning that includes an alignment ofstudent work expectations and classroom assessments to the standards and the learningobjectives and expected outcomes of the lesson, and establishment of criteria by which it can bedetermined whether students have achieved the particular standard or indicator. Teachers needto learn how to align their teaching practices with the state content standards and how to developand implement standards-based lesson plans. A rubric has been developed to evaluate teachers’standards-based lesson plans based a

Conference Session

Enhancing K12 Mathematics Education with Engineering

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

M. David Burghardt, Hofstra University; Michael Hacker, Hofstra University

Tagged Divisions

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering

develop a model for infusing mathematicsinto science and technology at the middle school level. The informed design process was createdas part of a NSF materials development program and formed the engineering design frameworkfor this study. Structured mathematics activities (knowledge and skill builders - KSBs) weredeveloped that linked to the design challenge. As a result of these hands-on activities, studentsapply the mathematical reasoning developed in order to solve an engineering problem; the designof a bedroom. A unique professional development model was created to facilitate cross-disciplinary support and communication during the development and piloting of math infusedtechnology and science lesson plans. A pilot research study, involved

Conference Session

K-12 Engineering Outreach Programs

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Kelly Crittenden, Louisiana Tech University; James Nelson, Louisiana Tech University; Galen Turner, Louisiana Tech University; Alicia Boudreaux, Louisiana Tech University

Tagged Divisions

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering

structural research facilities. Future plans for this project include developing “smart” bridges by incorporating student-built strain gages.The Fuel Cell Future – The ultimate goal of The Fuel Cell Future project is for each team tobuild a small model car powered by a fuel cell. To place this project in context, we discuss andmathematically model global population growth and world-wide energy sources. A preliminarydesign competition is used to introduce creative problem solving and teamwork. Thispreliminary competition is to build and race a small battery-powered car from a box of assorteditems (similar to a scene in the movie Apollo 13.) The students are then introduced to fuel

Conference Session

Successful K-12 Programs for Girls & Minorities

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Patricia Tolley, University of North Carolina at Charlotte; Deborah Sharer, University of North Carolina at Charlotte; Anthony Brizendine, University of North Carolina at Charlotte; Michael Phillips, Department of Engineering Technology, University of North Carolina at Charlotte; Adam Harris

Tagged Divisions

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering

Engineering Leadership Academy. She also provides oversight for student professional development curriculum and programs, including the Fundamentals of Engineering exam. She is founder and co-chair of the college’s Strategic Planning and Assessment Resource Team and is a key member of the University’s Institutional Effectiveness Oversight Committee. As a founding member of the Academic Affairs Assessment Team, she was instrumental in helping to develop campus-wide tools that enhance the efficiency of data collection and reporting. As co-PI on several projects, including four current NSF projects, Patricia contributes her expertise in the areas of the freshman-year experience

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

- 12/University Partnership to Create an Engineering Magnet Elementary School This paper will describe the genesis of a new engineering themed magnet school in New Hanover County, North Carolina. A parent choice school assignment plan was adopted by the school system two years ago, immediately creating several extremely high needs schools in the downtown area. One of these schools, Rachel Freeman Elementary, gets the majority of its students from a nearby subsidized housing project. This year, the school is over 85% African American and over 75% of the students qualify for the federal free and reduced price lunch program. Rachel Freeman administrators made the decision to convert the school to an engineering magnet

Conference Session

Engineering in Middle Schools

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Quincy Brown, Drexel University; William Mongan, Drexel University; Dara Kusic, Drexel University; Elaine Garbarine, Drexel University; Eli Fromm, Drexel University; Adam Fontecchio, Drexel University

Tagged Divisions

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering

Department of Education’s academic standards specifically cite “TechnologyEducation” as an objective at all K-12 grade levels.11 Included in this set of standards are missivessuch as, “apply basic computer operations and concepts,” with minimal guidance as to how todesign and implement lesson plans to advance the student’s technical proficiency. While thisopenness enables freedom within curriculum development, it can also mean that technologyprograms are underdeveloped, understaffed and without the technical support needed to sustainsuch programs on a daily basis. To address these challenges, educational Fellows of the National Science Foundation’s (NSF)GK12 program have introduced a pilot program of computer-aided instruction (CAI) at two site

Conference Session

Engineering in the Elementary School

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Mercedes McKay, Stevens Institute of Technology; Augusto Macalalag, Stevens Institute of Technology; Carol Shields, Stevens Institute of Technology; Debra Brockway, Stevens Institute of Technology; Beth McGrath, Stevens Institute of Technology

Tagged Divisions

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering

implementing or creating.Teachers work collaboratively on developing the module, including identification of studentscience learning objectives (tied to the district science curriculum and standards), lesson plans,implementation and classroom management plans, and student assessments.The overarching aim of the three-year PISA program is to: (a) demonstrate and institutionalizewithin participating schools a methodology, supporting curriculum materials, and otherinstructional resources and strategies to increase student interest, engagement, and achievementin science, mathematics, engineering, and technology and further, to (b) promote a culture ofinventiveness and creativity that calls upon students to demonstrate 21st century workforce skills

Conference Session

Engineering Student Involvement in K12 Programs

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Malinda Zarske, University of Colorado at Boulder; Jacquelyn Sullivan, University of Colorado at Boulder; Daniel Knight, University of Colorado at Boulder; Janet Yowell, University of Colorado at Boulder

Tagged Divisions

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering

engineering lesson plans to support theirclassroom interactions and for eventual onlinepublication and dissemination.During 2007-2008, the graduate TEAMS Fellows atCU-Boulder impacted students weekly in 58 classroomsin four elementary schools (827 students), one middle A K-12 engineering Fellowschool (600 students), and one high school (210 “in action” at a Colorado elementary school.students). The Fellows’ STEM expertise and engaginghands-on activities have become an integral teachingcomponent for partner teachers and a highlight for the students.Who are the Fellows?Since 1999, 68 Fellows have taught in the TEAMS Program. Currently, in the ninth

Conference Session

Engineering Professional Development for K12 Teachers

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Michael Pelletier, Northern Essex Community College; Lori Heymans, Northern Essex Community College; Paul Chanley, Northern Essex Community College

Tagged Divisions

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering

of Massachusetts designed to increasestudent interest and teacher preparation in STEM subjects. Those STEM Fellows whowished to receive 3 graduate credits (45 hours) were required to attend 2 additional daysin the summer and were required to design and field-test a written lesson plan and thenshare the experience using the lesson with the other STEM Fellows.Objectives of Content InstitutesTeacher-participants would be able to • explain the science, technology, engineering and/or mathematical topics listed in the Topical Syllabus included in the Appendix; • demonstrate the application of the topics to Alternative energy systems; • specify which standard(s) of the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks for Science and Technology

Conference Session

Engineering Student Involvement in K12 Programs

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Rajesh Ganesan, George Mason University; Donna Sterling, George Mason University; Philip Henning, James Madison University

Tagged Divisions

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering

level.The paper is organized as follows. We begin with a very brief summary of the SUNRISEproject’s unique feature, implementation, ongoing activities, and evaluation plans. Next, wepresent our preliminary observations, and conclude by stating some of the challenges ofSUNRISE.A Unique Feature of SUNRISE Project:In this Section we highlight a unique feature of SUNRISE that makes this project different fromother GK-12 projects in the nation. This is one of the very few GK-12 projects that are steered byengineering faculty. The project is housed in the School of Information Technology andEngineering which is unique in the nation unlike the traditional College of Engineering. Theproject is focused on infusing Information Technology (IT) rich STEM

Conference Session

Engineering in High Schools

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

David Crismond, The City College of New York

Tagged Divisions

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering

difficult-to-teach topics, and as transfer tasks to test studentunderstanding. One of the enduring conundrums in engineering design is that designers,regardless of level of experience, can end up with final products that look remarkably similar totheir first sketches or prototypes. A number of explanations for this problem, which has beendubbed “functional fixedness” (Cross, 2000) and “idea fixation” (Sachs, 1999), have beenproposed for this phenomenon where little seems to get learned or gained through cycles ofdesign iterations. One hypothesis that this study investigates is the notion that idea fixation,especially when done by beginning designers, is simply due to the novices not noticingweaknesses in their current plan or prototype. If all

Conference Session

Engineering Professional Development for K12 Teachers

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Jodi Cullum, Utah State University; Christine Hailey, Utah State University; Daniel Householder, Utah State University; Chris Merrill, Illinois State University; James Dorward, Utah State University

Tagged Divisions

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering

development wasgrounded in a common set of standards and showed teachers how to connect their work tothe specific standards for student performance. Sixth, reform strategies for schoolimprovement must be connected to other aspects of school change.Loucks-Horsley, Love, Stiles, Mundry and Hewson13 present a professional developmentmodel specifically designed for mathematics and science. The core of the model consists of aseries of components including commitment to a vision and standards, analysis of studentlearning and other data, goal setting, planning, implementation and evaluation. Secondedition augmentations include major sections on knowledge and belief systems (e.g., learnersand learning, teachers and teaching, the nature of the disciplines

Conference Session

Innovative K-12 Engineering Programs

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Gisele Ragusa, University of Southern California; Michael Khoo, University of Southern California; Ellis Meng, University of Southern California; Joseph Cocozza, University of Southern California

Tagged Divisions

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering

in university BME laboratories, with teachers directly immersedin NSF-sponsored research activities, collaborating with faculty members and Ph.D.students on appropriate aspects of their investigations. The teachers, faculty and Ph.D.student mentors met weekly to review, network, compare experiences, address issues,and plan. The lab experiences that the teachers experienced included the followingresearch areas:Lab # 1-Fundamental Research in Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD)Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) gradually destroys the macula, the part of theretina most important for central vision. In advanced stages AMD can result in theinability to read all but very large print, legal blindness with the consequent loss ofdriving

Conference Session

Engineering Professional Development for K12 Teachers

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Sean Brophy, Purdue University; Gemma Mann, Purdue University

Tagged Divisions

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering

Image 6 - environmentalThe question of relevance to this study was Question 3 as it would elicit the most in depthanswer containing the participants’ perceptions of engineering in the world.The week long academies consisted of teachers learning to use the Museum of Science’sEngineering is Elementary units. Specifically, on lesson was on water quality and purificationand the other was on machines (windmill). The lessons concentrate on developing the teachers’awareness of the design process which was explicitly defined in 5 phases – ask, imagine, plan,create, test, improve. Also, the teachers and the workshop facilitators shared ideas on how toteach these concepts within the context of a sequence of design activities. They also meet with anumber

Conference Session

Engineering Professional Development for K12 Teachers

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Shannon Davis, University of Arkansas; Bryan Hill, University of Arkansas; Carol Gattis, University of Arkansas; Bradley Dearing, Illinois State University; Edgar Clausen, University of Arkansas

Tagged Divisions

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering

to significantlyimprove subsequent years of the program. Some teachers felt that certain experiments did notaddress the frameworks needs; in fact they had this concern about their highest rated activitywhich was subsequently one used most often in their classrooms. Others felt some activities didnot fit the grade level they teach and they felt uncomfortable modifying the activity. In follow-up interviews, none of the teachers used all, or a majority, of the experiments from the year oneInstitute. Many of the simpler experiments (earthquakes, acids and bases, density) wereincorporated into lesson plans, but the teachers avoided experiments such as ethanol production,perhaps because they did not have a high comfort level with using a perceived

Conference Session

Innovative K-12 Engineering Programs

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Heath Tims, Louisiana Tech University; Galen Turner, Louisiana Tech University; Don Schillinger, Louisiana Tech University

Tagged Divisions

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering

differences between tasks andprojects that encourage hand-on doing and those thatencourage doing with understanding…”3 With this inmind, the authors set off to design a one week programthat would provide an engaging academic challengefor students.Building Bridges to the Future encompassesengineering aspects of bridge design as well as teamskills, creative problem solving, and careerexploration. Each of the explorations planned for the Figure 1: Students testingcamp are designed to pique student interest and show K’Nex bridge designsthe importance and relevance of both mathematics andscience. Experiences indicate that topics which utilize hands-on activities and lead to a designcompetition will motivate students4. The

Conference Session

Engineering in Middle Schools

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Reid Bailey, University of Virginia; Susan Donohue, University of Virginia

Tagged Divisions

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering

-equippedclassrooms which could be secured and a courtyard for outside activities).Camp Development TimelineThe following is an outline of key activities and milestones in developing the camp.Fall 2006: Leadership team formedDecember 2006: Major camp theme and structure definedJan.-Feb. 2007: Marketing plan developed, connections with local schools formed, administrative (i.e., Dean’s office) support established, cost for attending camp established, external funding gained for scholarships, NSF Research Experience for Teachers (RET) proposal developedMarch 2007: Daily goals for camp defined, detailed development work split among leadership team, camp

Conference Session

Successful K-12 Programs for Girls & Minorities

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Regina Middleton, University of Massachusetts, Amherst; Shelly Perdomo, University of Massachusetts Amherst

Tagged Divisions

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering

. Page 13.1406.10 FIGURE 6 ENGINEERING CAREER CHOICEData relating to students who plan on attending UMass Amherst are provided for the year of2007 in figure 7. Seventy percent of these female participants indicated that they plan onattending UMass Amherst. About 30% of these respondents reported that they didn’t plan onattending UMass Amherst. This information was important to document because part of our newinitiative with the WEP Career day Conference is to determine whether students who attendedthe activity do in fact attend the College of Engineering at the University of MassachusettsAmherst. This information is not evident for the previous years of 2005 and 2006

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

, qualified students from diverse backgrounds within the State of Michigan who would benefit from entering the engineering field. (OE)2 provides personal assistance with proposals, planning, and implementation; facilitates assessment and evaluation of research-based programs; coordinates with other groups across campus; and explores collaboration opportunities with other groups. This support is ongoing, grounded in the engineering research efforts of the College, to develop lasting relationships that increase public awareness regarding the importance and integrative nature of engineering. With partners in education, (OE)2 helps create original and unique programs or

Conference Session

Topics in K-12 Engineering

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Matthew Miller, Society of Automotive Engineers International; Elizabeth Bachrach, Goodman Research Group, Inc.

Tagged Divisions

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering

managed over 35 projects at GRG, ranging from national outreach initiatives accompanying public television series and documentaries to multimedia educational packages, and professional development workshops and distance learning for K-12 teachers. In addition to managing multiple projects, she has written proposals and designed evaluation plans for projects that have received funding from the NSF, NIH, and HHS, and serves as an internal consultant on several evaluations. Dr. Bachrach earned a Certificate of Completion from RIVA (Research in Values and Attitudes) Moderator Training and has expertise conducting focus groups with children and adults as well as evaluating

Conference Session

Public Engineering of Engineering, K12 Standards, and Overview

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Tylisha Baber, Michigan State University; Norman Fortenberry, National Academy of Engineering

Tagged Divisions

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering

commercials[26, 27].As recommended by the workshop, the show should be grounded in a compelling narrative withaccessible characters, but be accurate in its use of engineering principles and analysis. Teamsmust not only submit a final “film,” but also a marketing plan that leverages spin-off mediaproducts (web, cell phones, etc.), cross-marketing initiatives, etc. Scoring is done on thetechnical accuracy, film quality, and entrepreneurial plan. (The requirement for a marketing planresponds to the workshop recommendation that consideration be given to a multimediamarketing and collateral product development plan.) Each scoring category would contributeequally to the overall composite score. Pursuing this strategy contributes to the long-term goalwhile

Conference Session

Engineering in Middle Schools

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Matthew Cathell, Drexel University; Michael Birnkrant, Drexel University; Jean Robinson, Martha Washington Elementary School; Priscilla Blount, Martha Washington Elementary School; Adam Fontecchio, Drexel University; Eli Fromm, Drexel University

Tagged Divisions

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering

were exposed to engineering through inquiry-based interactive learning,with lesson activities that both complemented and enhanced the standard math and sciencecurriculum.StrategiesThe 6th grade science core curriculum in the School District of Philadelphia is based on a triad ofthree major units designed around Pennsylvania educational standards: Landforms, Astronomyand Environments. Each of these units is designed as an inquiry-based science experience,supported by FOSS activity kits (Landforms and Environments) and Holt Science andTechnology Short Course materials (Astronomy). Modular lesson plans incorporating SimCity 4were developed to support the Landforms and Environments units of the 6th grade curriculum.By accompanying and enhancing

Conference Session

Engineering in Middle Schools

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Juanita Jo Matkins, College of William and Mary; John A. McLaughlin, McLauglin Associates; Eugene Brown, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University; Gail Hardinge, College of William and Mary; Nancy West, College of William and Mary; Robert Stiegler, Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren Division; Kirk Jenne, Office of Naval Research

Tagged Divisions

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering

AC 2008-2810: EVALUATING A COMPREHENSIVE MIDDLE SCHOOLOUTREACH PROGRAM—THE RESULTSJuanita Jo Matkins, College of William and Mary Juanita Jo Matkins is an Assistant Professor of Science Education at the College of William and Mary. She was a K-12 teacher for 18 years, and the Virginia recipient of the 1995 Presidential Award for Excellence in Secondary Science Teaching. She has written and published several papers and reports on various issues in teacher education, including assessment, gender and multicultural issues in science education.John A. McLaughlin, McLauglin Associates John McLaughlin is a senior consultant in strategic planning, performance measurement, and program

Conference Session

Engineering in the Elementary School

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Edmond Saliklis, California Polytechnic State University

Tagged Divisions

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering

the study by Carroll6, namely to keep theteaching module within a one hour time slot and to introduce pictures of real structures alongsidethe model making activities. We received encouragement for this activity from our department,and to some extent from the wider university community. This type of scholarship is valued andis growing in importance. Other researchers have recently noticed an ever-growing appreciationof such research7.The VehicleWe originally planned to center the building activity on the creation of a laminated thin shellarch. The structural units or tiles would be laid flat in a staggered fashion in order to cover orbreak the joints of adjacent layers. This method of construction results in an extremely thin shellarch or

Conference Session

Engineering Student Involvement in K12 Programs

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Lynn Albers, North Carolina State University; Althea Smith, North Carolina State University; Kate Caldwell, North Carolina State University; Jessica McCoy, North Carolina State University; Laura Bottomley, North Carolina State University; Elizabeth Parry, North Carolina State University

Tagged Divisions

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering

Fellows have improved theirpublic speaking skills, felt more prepared for their careers, and felt that they were makinga difference simply by being positive role models. In addition, by working with OSTclubs, the undergraduate Fellows work directly with the graduate Fellow who exposesthem to new areas of research, helps strengthen their math and science skills and providesan opportunity to discuss their post-undergraduate plans. Among the NCSU Fellows amuch higher percentage of undergraduate Fellows plan to attend graduate or professionalschool, as compared to similar statistics for the entire university undergraduatepopulation. The graduate Fellow benefits in much the same way and additionallydevelops managerial and administrative skills.Out-of

Conference Session

Engineering in Middle Schools

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Paul Crips, Laramie Middle School; William Parker, Laramie County School District 1; Steven Barrett, University of Wyoming; Jerry Hamann, University of Wyoming

Tagged Divisions

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering

the nearby university and community college and the private sector. Inthis paper we discuss how this program was implemented, the contents of each DiscoveryBox, the impact on meeting state educational standards, some of the issues involved increating such a program and most importantly the highlight of the program – studentsregularly journaling their progress throughout the year. Due to the success of this grantthe program has been extended to the LSCD#1 eighth grade curriculum for academicyear 2007/2008. We also plan on pursuing funding to extend this to the ninth grade in thecoming year. OverviewOn April 1, 2006, the Wyoming Department of Education awarded Laramie CountySchool District #1 (LCSD#1) in

Conference Session

Innovative K-12 Engineering Programs

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Jacqueline Isaacs, Northeastern University; Jay Laird, Metaversal Studios; Lisa Regalla, Museum of Science Boston; Carol Barry, University of Massachusetts-Lowell; Ahmed Busnaina, Northeastern University

Tagged Divisions

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering

character,to ensure audience identification across the broadest possible audience. Ultimately, given thebudget and time constraints of the original six-month development plan, it was decided to makeHarold the brawn and Nikki the brains.Nikki originally had been named Nancy, and both characters were white and appeared as middle-class, stereotypical “science nerds.” The team felt that this might limit the appeal of the gamefor some of the target audience, and that the “science nerd” stereotype needed to be avoided tomake enjoyment of science more accessible to the target audience. The team decided that Nancyshould be made more ethnically ambiguous; the character was redrawn, her name was changed,and a new voice artist was sought. Fortunately, since

Conference Session

Engineering in the Elementary School

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Manisha Shrestha, George Mason University; Kelly Morris, MPES; Rajesh Ganesan, George Mason University; Donna Sterling, George Mason University

Tagged Divisions

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering

students in science and mathematics. The NSF GK-12 program offers a uniqueopportunity to address this need.National Science Foundation (NSF) has established a GK-12 program that provides fellowshipsand education pedagogy to graduate students in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, andMathematics) fields. The fellows serve as a resource to teachers, and help to increase students’interest in STEM. The plan is for the partnership between the fellow and teacher remains activefor 1 to 2 year/s. NSF has granted funds to SUNRISE project at GMU to initiate partnershipswith unsatisfactory-performing schools in 3 school divisions in the Washington Metropolitanarea. Eight schools are participating in the SUNRISE project; seven elementary schools and

Conference Session

Enhancing K12 Mathematics Education with Engineering

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Wendy Huang, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Barbara Brizuela, Tufts University; Peter Wong, Tufts University

Tagged Divisions

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering

are embedded in some greater context that makes the design work have a purpose, and (2) the activities make mathematics a necessary means to designing an effective product or process.For example, in the Amazon Mission unit (consisting of three week-long design challenges thatcan be done throughout the year), students read a one page introduction that invites students to Page 13.759.2imagine that they are planning to visit an indigenous people group in the Amazon rainforest.Students learn that many Yanomami people suffer from malaria and that their first designchallenge is to design a prototype of a medicine carrier that can

Conference Session

K-12 Engineering Outreach Programs

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Joseph Slater, Wright State University

Tagged Divisions

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering

standard building blocks, and thuseasily built, and rebuilt, until success is achieved, or in many cases directly from plans. Plans fortrebuchets abound on the Internet, and the impression becomes one of engineering as followingplans for construction. Unfortunately for them, the design requirements for the competition preclude using a “canned”design, and the problem is one of multi-dimensional constrained optimization. Of course thereis no expectation that the phrase “multi-dimensional constrained optimization” would mean any-thing, but it was surprising how much resistance existed to using computational tools in the wayengineers do. One of the requirements was that the arm length be below what turned out to be arather ridiculously long length