The Aquarium Project: Teaching Engineering Principles And Sustainability
- Conference
- Location
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Honolulu, Hawaii
- Publication Date
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June 24, 2007
- Start Date
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June 24, 2007
- End Date
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June 27, 2007
- ISSN
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2153-5965
- Conference Session
- Tagged Division
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First-Year Programs
- Page Count
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11
- Page Numbers
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12.1388.1 - 12.1388.11
- DOI
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10.18260/1-2--2055
- Permanent URL
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https://peer.asee.org/2055
- Download Count
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732
Paper Authors
Kauser Jahan Rowan University
Kauser Jahan is a Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Rowan University. She completed her Ph.D. studies in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis in 1993. After completion of her graduate studies, she worked as an environmental engineer for the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP). Her research interests include bioremediation of contaminated groundwater and soils; the fate and transport of pollutants in the environment; and applied microbiology in environmental engineering. She is also actively involved in encouraging women to the engineering profession.
Abstract
NOTE: The first page of text has been automatically extracted and included below in lieu of an abstract
ENGINEERING CLINICS FOR TEACHERS Introduction
There is a growing realization among engineering faculty that a new vision for the education of engineers needs to evolve to keep this country at the forefront of technology. Science and engineering are essential partners in paving the way for America’s future through discovery, learning and innovation1-2.
A recent report3 indicates that the United States lags behind the world in technological innovation because of its poor performance in teaching math and science. This eliminates many of the best and brightest schoolchildren from the ranks of future scientists and engineers. Many students who do undertake science and engineering studies in college are unprepared and drop out in frustration, while other potentially capable students never consider these subjects in the first place. In both cases, precious human and institutional resources are squandered.
Enhanced engineering education in our K-12 classrooms can provide students at an earlier age with a more specific understanding of what a technical career entails. We must encourage teachers to assume a more active role not only in the implementation/delivery of the educational experience for the student, but also in the innovation and continuous improvement necessary for engineering education to meet these challenges.
The ECT Program
This ECT (Engineering Clinics for Teachers) Program is a partnership between Rowan University’s Colleges of Engineering and Education to provide an Engineering Clinic experience for middle school teachers and guidance counselors. Modeled after the unique Rowan Engineering Clinics4-5, it utilizes real world problem solving via simple cost effective activities. The overall objectives of the program are to:
• Provide exposure to engineering careers and make engineering more relevant to middle school educators,
• Ensure that teachers are academically prepared to successfully integrate engineering content into their existing curriculum,
• Support teachers and students in exploring and understanding engineering content in K-12 education through professional development activities, and
• Serve as a national model for other undergraduate institutions in integrating engineering content in K-12 education.
This is the first university initiative to integrate engineering content in the middle school curriculum and train teachers regarding engineering concepts as well as the identification of students with potential to become engineers. The ECT program is being funded by a generous grant from the Martinson Foundation.
Jahan, K. (2007, June), The Aquarium Project: Teaching Engineering Principles And Sustainability Paper presented at 2007 Annual Conference & Exposition, Honolulu, Hawaii. 10.18260/1-2--2055
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