Conference Session

Engineering in Middle Schools

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Tris West, Lewisburg Area School District; Abe Feuerstein, Bucknell University; Steven Shooter, Bucknell University

Tagged Divisions

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering

in the minds of students6,7 and has been successfully usedto help students identify relationships between engineering fundamentals and hardware design8,9.Product dissection provides “hands-on” activities to couple engineering principles withsignificant visual feedback10,11,12, and such “learning by doing” activities encourage thedevelopment of curiosity, proficiency and manual dexterity, three desirable traits of anengineer13. Dissection also gives students early exposure to functional products and processes,and introducing such experiences early in the students’ academic careers has been shown to Page 13.1334.2increase motivation and

Conference Session

High School Engineering Education

Collection

2010 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Mohamed Abdelrahman, Tennessee Technological University; Cynthia Rice-York, Tennessee Tech University; Dalton York, Tennessee Tech University; Cynthia Stowers, Clark Range High School; Robert Sircy, Tennessee Tech University

Tagged Divisions

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering

AC 2010-778: TWO LEGACY CYCLE MODULES IN MATH AND CHEMISTRYFOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS BASED ON FUEL CELL TECHNOLOGYMohamed Abdelrahman, Tennessee Technological UniversityCynthia Rice-York, Tennessee Tech UniversityDalton York, Tennessee Tech UniversityCynthia Stowers, Clark Range High SchoolRobert Sircy, Tennessee Tech University Page 15.1282.1© American Society for Engineering Education, 2010 Two Legacy Cycle modules in Math and Chemistry for High School Students based on Fuel Cell TechnologyAbstractThe current paper is focused on relaying the experience of two high school teachers thatparticipated in a research experience for teachers (RETainUS

Conference Session

Engineering in High Schools

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

John Mativo, Ohio Northern University; Adam Stienecker, Ohio Northern University

Tagged Divisions

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering

AC 2007-730: INNOVATIVE EXPOSURE TO ENGINEERING BASICS THROUGHMECHATRONICS SUMMER HONORS PROGRAM FOR HIGH SCHOOLSTUDENTSJohn Mativo, Ohio Northern University JOHN MATIVO teaches Materials and Product Manufacturing courses at Ohio Northern University. He has conducted several summer projects for middle an high school students. His university teaching experience totals eleven years six of which he served as Department of Technology Chair at the University of Eastern Africa, Baraton. He holds degrees in Technology, Education and Engineering. His Doctorate is from the University of Georgia. He is a member of Sigma Xi, Epsilon Pi Tau, Phi Kappa Phi, and Phi Beta Delta.Adam Stienecker, Ohio Northern

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

change the physical setting to make it clear from the entrance that the school was aboutengineering and success. The school’s new name and motto were already chosen by administration:The Rachel Freeman Elementary School of Engineering: Gearing Young Minds for the Future. First,the staff decided to install display cases and shelving in the lobby to highlight student generatedengineering projects for visitors. Another decision was to install real street signs to name eachhallway and central area (such as the cafeteria and media center) relevant engineering and problemsolving phrases. Some examples are Problem Solving Place and Creativity Circle. Next, the entiregroup participated in the development of a school vision statement that would be

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

AC 2008-2221: MAKING MATH AND SCIENCE EXCITING THROUGHENGINEERING SPORT: THE WRIGHT STATE UNIVERSITY TREBUCHETCOMPETITIONJoseph Slater, Wright State University Dr. Joseph C. Slater received his B.S. and M.S. degrees in Aerospace Engineering, and Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the State University of New York at Buffalo under the guidance of Dr. Daniel J. Inman. Dr. Slater joined the Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering at Wright State University in the Fall of 1993. His research interests are mode localization (pertaining to high cycle fatigue), nonlinear dynamics, nonlinear system ID, turbomachinery dynamics, smart

Conference Session

K-12 Engineering Outreach Programs

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

David Schwartz, Cornell University; Catherine Norton, Cornell University; Sue Schwartz, The Learning Web

Tagged Divisions

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering

AC 2007-2032: OUTREACH WITH GAME DESIGN EDUCATIONDavid Schwartz, Cornell University After finishing his dissertation in Civil Engineering and writing two textbooks as a graduate student in 1999, Cornell's Computer Science department made an offer David I. Schwartz couldn't refuse. Schwartz has made a career in researching and developing new curricula and educational technology. Over the past five years, he has collaborated with faculty and staff to build the Cornell Library Collaborative Learning Computer Laboratory (CL3) and the Game Design Initiative at Cornell (GDIAC; http://gdiac.cis.cornell.edu). CL3 currently hosts Cornell's new game courses, which now belong to a new

Conference Session

Engineering in Middle Schools

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

John McLaughlin, MacLaughlin Associates; Gail Hardinge, College of William and Mary; Eugene Brown, Virginia Tech; Kirk Jenne, Office of Naval Research; Robert Stiegler, Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren Division

Tagged Divisions

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering

Technical Assistance Centers, at the College of William and Mary, providing professional development programs for teachers. She has worked in public education for twenty-two years and is an adjunct Assistant Professor at William and Mary, teaching courses in collaborative consultation and assessment, as well serving as the college's VDP Project Coordinator.Eugene Brown, Virginia Tech Eugene Brown is Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Virginia Tech. He has worked with ONR since 2001 on university-centered Navy work force development issues. He teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in thermodynamics and fluid mechanics and is the author of many papers and reports describing his

Conference Session

Engineering as the STEM Glue

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Mitchell J. Nathan, University of Wisconsin, Madison; Candace Walkington, University of Wisconsin, Madison; Rachaya Srisurichan, University of Wisconsin, Madison; Martha W. Alibali

Tagged Divisions

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering

AC 2011-315: MODAL ENGAGEMENTS IN PRECOLLEGE ENGINEER-ING: TRACKING MATH AND SCIENCE CONCEPTS ACROSS SYMBOLS,SKETCHES, SOFTWARE, SILICONE AND WOODMitchell J. Nathan, University of Wisconsin-Madison Mitchell J. Nathan, BSEE, PhD, is professor of Educational Psychology, with affiliate appointments in Curriculum & Instruction and Psychology at the University of Wisconsin - Madison, and a faculty fel- low at the Wisconsin Center for Education Research (WCER) and the Center on Education and Work. Dr. Nathan studies the cognitive, embodied, and social processes involved in STEM reasoning, learn- ing and teaching, especially in mathematics and engineering classrooms and in laboratory settings, using both quantitative

Conference Session

K-12 Engineering Outreach Programs

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Taryn Bayles, University of Maryland-Baltimore County; Jonathan Rice, University of Maryland-Baltimore County; Greg Russ, University of Maryland-Baltimore County; Tania Monterastelli, University of Maryland-Baltimore County

Tagged Divisions

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering

understanding of the basicconcept of electronics and an appreciation of evolutionary milestones of sophisticatedelectronics systems. In support of these objectives, the museum’s priority is to provide amotivational environment for students of all ages to gain an understanding of basicengineering and the career opportunities available through higher education. With thispriority in mind, the Historical Electronics Museum began the Young Engineers andScientist Seminars (YESS) program in the fall of 2002, intended for highly gifted highschool students in the Baltimore/Washington area with a strong aptitude in mathematicsand/or science. The first two years of the program consisted of a series of solelyseminars and covered topics as diverse and dynamic as

Conference Session

Engineering Design in Pedagogy

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Nathan Mentzer, Purdue University, West Lafayette; Kyungsuk Park, Utah State University

Tagged Divisions

Design in Engineering Education, K-12 & Pre-College Engineering

AC 2011-2287: HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AS NOVICE DESIGNERSNathan Mentzer, Purdue University, West Lafayette Nathan Mentzer is an assistant profession in the College of Technology with a joint appointment in the College of Education at Purdue University. Nathan was a former middle and high school technology educator in Montana prior to pursuing a doctoral degree. He was a National Center for Engineering and Technology Education (NCETE) Fellow at Utah State University while pursuing a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction. After graduation he completed a one year appointment with the Center as a postdoctoral researcher.Kyungsuk Park, Utah State University

Conference Session

K-12 and Pre-college Engineering Poster Session

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Caridad Cruz, Universidad de las Americas, Puebla; Lourdes Gazca, American University in Puebla, Mexico; Aurelio Lopez-Malo, Universidad de las Americas, Puebla; Enrique Palou, Universidad de las Americas, Puebla

Tagged Divisions

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering

ushow we know it. Alimentos Divertidos is developing experiments and ETKs that includedemonstrations1-4.Results to date indicate the importance of placing teachers in the role of “students” and allowingthem to experience hands-on and minds-on inquiry-based activities as well as grapple withdesigning their own lesson plans in a peer group setting where they can brainstorm and receivefeedback1-4. Therefore annually we hold on-campus one-week summer workshops in order tohelp elementary school teachers incorporate the developed experiments, ETKs and pedagogicalpractices.WorkshopsTo further promote the experiments and engineering teaching kits, and encourageimplementation of Alimentos Divertidos program in schools in other states, our faculty

Conference Session

K-12 Outreach and Out-of-School Time Engineering Programming and Research

Collection

2014 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Anca L. Sala, Baker College, Flint; Pattabhi Sitaram, Baker College, Flint; Tom Spendlove, Baker College, Flint

Tagged Divisions

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering

in mind (86%). A large percentage of the students, 71%,expressed their interest in engineering either at agree or strongly agree level.Fig.2 Student responses to pre-camp survey questions Page 24.1104.7The post-camp survey questions were as follows:1) The summer camp stimulated my interest in engineering.2) The summer camp enhanced my interest in engineering.3) The camp taught me teamwork and be a team player.4) The camp helped me in improving my presentation skills.5) Did you think that the number of activities was appropriate?6) Did you think that the amount of material covered was appropriate?7) I feel more confident now in pursuing a career

Conference Session

High-School Engineering Education

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Mitchell Nathan, University of Wisconsin, Madison; Kyle Oliver, University of Wisconsin, Madison; Amy Prevost, University of Wisconsin, Madison; Natalie Tran, California State University, Bakersfield; Allen Phelps, University of Wisconsin, Madison

Tagged Divisions

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering

work (p. 5).While the relation of math and science to engineering in this report is generally presented asunidirectional, we need to keep in mind their mutual relationship. For engineering design anddevelopment can drive scientific and mathematical advancement as well6,7. For example,advances in areas like xerography for photocopying preceded scientific understandingelectrophotography. Thus, the bidirectional influences of science and math with engineering, socentral to technological innovation, must be recognized as vital to a rigorous, high qualityengineering educational program.Conjointly, the push for an integrative curriculum for vocational and technical education comesfrom laws and policies for K12 education. The reauthorization of the

Conference Session

Engineering in High School

Collection

2006 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Don Engelberg, Queensborough Community College; Cheryl Bluestone, Queensborough Community College; Amy Bieber, Queensborough Community College; James Valentino, Queensborough Community College; Patrick Wallach, Queensborough Community College; Joseph Goldenberg, Queensborough Community College; Clara Wajngurt, Queensborough Community College; Paul Marchese, Queensborough Community College

Tagged Divisions

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering

in the Social Sciences Department at the College. She is also PI or co-PI on several other NSF-funded projects.Amy Bieber, Queensborough Community College Co-PI Dr. Amy Bieber holds a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from Johns Hopkins University and a Ph.D. degree from the Institute for Optics of the University of Rochester. She also held a post-doctoral fellowship at Sandia National Laboratory, working in photonics research and nanostructure and semiconductor physics. She developed the laser and general optics segments for TechASCEND. Author of two books for students, Dr. Bieber has published articles on several laser-related topics. She is currently coordinator of 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

AC 2008-513: TEACHER AND STUDENT FEEDBACK ABOUT ENGINEERINGDESIGN IN MIDDLE SCHOOL SCIENCE CLASSROOMS: A PILOT STUDYChristine Schnittka, University of VirginiaLarry Richards, University of Virginia Page 13.1139.1© American Society for Engineering Education, 2008 Teacher and Student Feedback about Engineering Design in Middle School Science Classrooms: A Pilot StudyAbstractIn this study, middle school teachers and students provide critical feedback about three design-based science teaching kits so that the curricula can be refined and improved such that studentlearning and engagement in science and engineering is maximized. The curricula, packaged askits, focus

Conference Session

High School Engineering Education

Collection

2010 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Amy Prevost, University of Wisconsin, Madison; Mitchell Nathan, University of Wisconsin, Madison; Benjamin Stein, University of Wisconsin; Allen Phelps, University of Wisconsin, Madison

Tagged Divisions

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering

mathematical phenomena.Engineering: Ability to keep in mind parameters of the project while creating a solution.UnderstandingConstraintsEngineering: Generate an idea for testing based on knowledge of what might work (from math orCreating physics, for example, or even other things that exist - a bridge in your neighborhood,Hypotheses something found in nature or even experience).Engineering: Figure out what must be done at certain time points in order to meet a deadline.ProjectManagementEngineering: Use Use of computer aided tools for creating and modeling the project.of Software forDesignExplicit Integration of Concepts and SkillsWe applied an additional code to any video clip coded for math

Conference Session

Standards and K-12 Engineering

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Tamara J. Moore, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities; Micah S. Stohlmann, University of Minnesota; Jennifer A. Kersten, University of Minnesota; Kristina Maruyama Tank, University of Minnesota; Aran W. Glancy, University of Minnesota

Tagged Divisions

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering

inquiry based science and math instruction using a design context can develop learners’competencies including cognitive models of how systems work, communication skills, the abilityto synthesize ideas, STEM knowledge, and the ability to evaluate designs20.(d) an ability to function on multidisciplinary teamsAn integral part of the work of engineers and most professions is the ability to work effectivelyin teams. Engineers often collaborate with people from various fields in order to effectivelydesign solutions. One of three general principles that have been proposed for K-12 engineeringeducation is to promote engineering habits of mind, which include collaboration1. K-12engineering education should involve students working in teams on design

Conference Session

Engineering as the STEM Glue

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Amy C. Prevost, University of Wisconsin, Madison; Mitchell J. Nathan, University of Wisconsin, Madison; Amy Kathleen Atwood, University of Wisconsin - Madison; L. Allen Phelps, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Tagged Divisions

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering

, social, and mathematical phenomena.Engineering: Ability to keep in mind parameters of the project while creating aUnderstanding solution.ConstraintsEngineering: Generate an idea for testing based on knowledge of what might workCreating (from math or physics, for example, or even other things that exist - aHypotheses bridge in your neighborhood, something found in nature or even experience).Engineering: Figure out what must be done at certain time points in order to meet aProject deadline.ManagementEngineering: Use Use of computer aided tools for creating and modeling the project.of Software forDesign

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

evaluation. He is presently working on several project including the Environmental Protection Agency, Health and Human Services Administration on Aging and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, as well serving as the lead evaluation consultant to seven national centersEugene Brown, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Eugene Brown is Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Virginia Tech. In addition to the Virginia Demonstration Project, he has worked on a number of STEM outreach programs and has published several papers describing these activities. He teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in thermodynamics and fluid mechanics.Gail Hardinge, College of William and Mary

Conference Session

K-12 & Pre- College Engineering Division Poster Session

Collection

2015 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Tameshia Ballard Baldwin, North Carolina State University; Vincent William DeLuca, North Carolina State University; Aaron C. Clark, North Carolina State University

Tagged Divisions

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering

component, has further encouraged theintegration of engineering principles into the K-12 curriculum. Some would argue thatindividuals that have earned an engineering degree are in the strongest position to accuratelyintroduce K-12 students to engineering and encourage them to enter the field12. Students that areable to successfully complete an engineering degree from an accredited engineering programpossess the content knowledge to teach STEM subjects at the K-12 level and can help to removethe misconceptions in the minds of K-12 students about what engineers actually do. However,what these students typically lack is pedagogical content knowledge (PCK), a concept thatencompasses not only knowledge of one’s subject matter, but also knowledge of ways

Conference Session

Promoting Scientific and Technological Literacy

Collection

2006 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Lisa Ncube, Purdue University

Tagged Divisions

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering

High School Students in IndianaAbstractProject Lead The Way is a pre-engineering program designed to prepare students forpostsecondary engineering and engineering technology courses. PLTW courses utilize project-and problem-based learning strategies that encourage students to apply what they learn to real-life situations. At the middle school level the program is called Gateway to Technology.Gateway to Technology is project-based and designed with all students in mind and addressesnational standards in math, science and technology. One of the goals of the middle schoolcurriculum is to increase interest and awareness of female and minority students in technologyand related careers. Gateway to Technology also encourages increasing numbers of

Conference Session

Engineering Professional Development for K-12 Teachers

Collection

2010 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Elsa Head, Tufts University; Adam Carberry, Tufts University

Tagged Divisions

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering

AC 2010-207: WHAT CAN TEACHERS LEARN FROM ENGINEERINGEXPERTS? USING A THREE-PHASE MODEL TO IMPROVE K-12 TEACHER'SKNOWLEDGE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGYElsa Head, Tufts University Elsa Head is a Master's student in the Math, Science, Technology, and Engineering Education program at Tufts University. She holds a B.S. in Engineering Science and Environmental Studies from Tufts University. Elsa participated in the Student Teacher Outreach Mentorship Program (STOMP) as an undergraduate at Tufts and currently works at Tufts University Center for Engineering Education and Outreach as a co-manager for STOMP.Adam Carberry, Tufts University Adam R. Carberry is a Doctoral Candidate in Engineering

Conference Session

Successful Mentoring and Outreach Programs for Girls and Minorities

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Ruth Friedman, Ohio State University; Linda Weavers, Ohio State University; Glenda La Rue, Ohio State University

Tagged Divisions

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering

assumed that an engineering outreach program would resemble schoolwith, as one participant suggested, “just a couple of activities…and lectures.”In addition to correcting the participants’ view of engineering as divorced from fun, FESCdisrupts their association of this career field with individuals who are different from themselves.According to one participant who shared her expectations for the camp during the focus-groupdiscussion, she “thought FESC would be a nerd camp, but changed mind after first day [sic].”Another participant underscored these young women’s belief that an engineering-relatedprogram would attract students who were not like them, claiming that she “expected ‘a bunch ofnerds,’ but was proven wrong.”The crucial role that FESC

Conference Session

Gender and Minority Issues in K-12 Engineering

Collection

2010 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Kimberly Edginton Bigelow, University of Dayton; Gail Wheatley, Edheads; David Tomasko, The Ohio State University

Tagged Divisions

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering

to skip steps was purposefully added to the activity design,such that users who did not fully understand the problem by conducting research would build adesign that likely did not meet the needs of the users. This helped demonstrate the importance offollowing the engineering process and designing with the user in mind, instead of one’s self (areason why the senior citizen market was chosen as the user population).For those students who begin at research, they are presented a file folder of reports that they canlook through. The topics are: Usage, Dimensions, Research Results, and Client Needs. TheUsage and Dimensions topics feature various charts and graphs showing users’ preferences. Thegraphs, ranging from pie charts to bar charts have to

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

AC 2008-2868: ENGINEERING GRADUATE STUDENTS: ENGAGING TODAY'STEACHERS, TRAINING TOMORROW'S SCIENTISTS AND ENGINEERS, ANDOPENING NEW ACADEMIC AND CAREER PATHS FOR K-12 STUDENTSJill Andrews, University of Michigan Jill H Andrews is a trained journalist with a professional background that spans 25 years in an academic setting as an administrator, educational outreach director and corporate liaison. From 1984-2005 she worked at the California Institute of Technology and University of Southern California, where she built lasting relationships and working partnerships among scientists and engineers, practicing professionals, formal and informal educators and students, government

Conference Session

Women in K-12 Engineeering & Outreach Programs

Collection

2010 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Shannon Ciston, University of New Haven; Ellen Worsdall, Northwestern University; Jessica Swenson, Northwestern University

Tagged Divisions

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering

women in engineering, and want to work to increase thenumber through outreach programs. I also would like to do more research on how women's Page 15.1147.9careers in engineering differ from men's.” “It is always encouraging to see so many strong-willed, creative-minded femaleengineers, such as that are involved in a program like this.” “I would definitely say that seeing all the young women who both taught & participatedin STEP was really inspirational. It is nice to see that NU was able to reach out to that manyyoung girls who were genuinely interested in science.” “STEP has furthered my strong stance on encouraging women to

Conference Session

Technological Literacy and K-12 Engineering

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Faik Karatas, Purdue University; George Bodner, Purdue University

Tagged Divisions

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering

instruction may either generatenew alternative frameworks for the students or support the old ones. As a result, attempts tochange students’ conceptions of a particular phenomenon using conceptual change strategiesmay not be as fruitful as we would either hope or expect because, in the end, teachers deliver theinstruction we design.10 Teachers who have naïve or alternative frameworks or conceptions of asubject may not teach them well or they may produce ill-structured schema in students’ minds. Unlike the well-established field of the philosophy of science, no equivalent study of thephilosophy of engineering exists.13 However, inasmuch as engineering and engineering artifactsare part of our everyday life, elementary school students and their

Conference Session

Using Web-Resources and Literature to Teach Engineering in P-8

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Lucy McAuliffe, Smith College; Glenn W. Ellis, Smith College; Sonia Katrin Ellis, Smith College; Isabel Huff, Smith College; Beth McGinnis-Cavanaugh, Springfield Technical Community College

Tagged Divisions

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering

boys are more often encouraged toexplore hands-on activities than girls, and where gender stereotypes in computer games aimed atyounger learners appeal more to boys than to girls. Alice Parker, an engineering professor at theUniversity of Southern California, also notes the importance of engaging female learners withengineering at a young age: “It’s important to reach them in middle school because in highschool, attitudes and preferences about career choices are already becoming entrenched, and itbecomes more difficult to change their minds.”6 To be most effective, engineering education at the middle school level (and all levels)must not only engage learners, but also support deep, intentional learning. Deep learningconnotes an

Conference Session

Engineering Professional Development for K-12 Teac

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Birdy Reynolds, University of Pittsburgh; Matthew Mehalik, University of Pittsburgh; Michael Lovell, University of Pittsburgh; Christian Schunn, University of Pittsburgh

Tagged Divisions

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering

teams stay on track due to thelimited timeframe in which they must operate (8 weeks). Time is structured during the programbut it is not rigid. Teachers have a lot of freedom and manage their time similarly to professionalengineers.Learning Science ComponentDesign-based learning as the basis for curriculum design is critical to teachers’ successfullytranslating the work of engineers into the science classroom. Teams of teachers were re-organized by their content areas, attended weekly professional development, met with contentadvisors, conducted experiments to test content ideas, wrote and revised curriculum units, andcommunicated their work with the established learning community.The ways of thinking and skills (habits of mind) required to

Conference Session

Exemplary Outreach Programs

Collection

2010 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Lisa Pruitt, University of California, Berkeley; Eli Patten, University of California at Berkeley; Sara Atwood, University of California, Berkeley

Tagged Divisions

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering

as teamwork, communication, connection to society and appreciation ofdiversity are recognized as important abilities that are necessary for all engineers graduatingfrom ABET-accredited programs [10]. With these facts in mind, the K-12 outreach teachingproject entitled “Body by Design” was developed as a central portion of an upper divisiontechnical elective course cross-listed between mechanical engineering and bioengineering.Structural Aspects of Biomaterials has been taught for nearly a decade and in this timeframe, thecourse has evolved from a survey course to a course with emphasis on project-based learning,interdisciplinary problems, teamwork, and outreach teaching. By the end of the semester,undergraduates are expected to have an