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Board 191: A Model for Engineering Education Professional Development for K-12 Science Teachers

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Conference

2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Location

Portland, Oregon

Publication Date

June 23, 2024

Start Date

June 23, 2024

End Date

June 26, 2024

Conference Session

NSF Grantees Poster Session

Tagged Topic

NSF Grantees Poster Session

Page Count

13

DOI

10.18260/1-2--46756

Permanent URL

https://peer.asee.org/46756

Download Count

88

Paper Authors

biography

Kathleen Ann Dinota Stony Brook University

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Kathleen Dinota received her B.S. in Marine Science and M.S. in Secondary Education, retiring in 2017 after teaching in public schools on Long Island, NY for 31 years. During the course of her career, she taught earth science, biology and chemistry as well as science research. Kathleen has also worked in test development at NY State Education Department as an Education Specialist for the Regents Physical Setting Chemistry exam for the past 20 years. She is a former NYS Master Teacher. Kathleen currently serves as the Engineering Education Project Director and Outreach Coordinator at Stony Brook University.She helped to develop the Engineering Academy, ensuring alignment to state education standards and use of appropriate pedagogy and managed all logistics related to the camp. Kathleen continues to work with school districts and the University to provide high-quality experiences that expose students to various disciplines of engineering and to help teachers incorporate engineering practices in the science classroom.

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biography

Monica Bugallo Stony Brook University Orcid 16x16 orcid.org/0000-0003-2963-1474

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Monica Bugallo is a Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Faculty Director of the Women In Science and Engineering (WISE) Honors program at Stony Brook University. She received her B.S., M.S, and Ph. D. degrees in computer science and engin

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Abstract

As the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) have been adopted and implemented across the US, K-12 teachers are tasked with finding ways to incorporate engineering practices in their science lessons, despite having little formal training as part of the teacher certification process. This has led to an increased need for professional development to guide educators in engineering practices (such as defining problems, designing solutions and optimizing solutions) while simultaneously learning pure science concepts. Even though there are grade-level specific and discipline-specific learning standards, there are generic practices and lessons that can be used across grade levels and disciplines. Introducing teachers to the general mind-set of engineers and how engineering practices can help students to apply science concepts has become critical in professional development for science teachers. A professional development program was developed and implemented over a period of several months during the school year through a university outreach program. Teachers were recruited from a variety of suburban school districts and included teachers at the elementary through high school levels. Participants met at the university and were given time to explore the science and engineering practices in NGSS and the progression of expected student competency from kindergarten through graduation. The workshop engaged teachers in hands-on engineering experiences, included direct instruction on engineering practices, and provided time to reflect on ways to incorporate these practices in their science classroom. In addition, each participant was required to complete a final project from a list of options provided. Many of the teachers created and instructed new engineering lessons for their classrooms, while being observed by university staff. Several teachers used university-based lessons as a means of providing engineering lessons to their students. Upon completion of the program, a feedback survey was administered and participants provided overwhelming positive feedback and expressed a desire for further professional development.

Dinota, K. A., & Bugallo, M. (2024, June), Board 191: A Model for Engineering Education Professional Development for K-12 Science Teachers Paper presented at 2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Portland, Oregon. 10.18260/1-2--46756

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