TeachingEngineeringNotes

6-13-2010 NYTimes article "[|Studying Engineering Before They Can Spell It]" notes that NJ state Stds require some exposure to engineering by 2nd grade. Lessons in ... "take students step by step through the engineering process: design, build, test, evaluate." Also links to[| Museum of Science, Boston] and a project called [|Engineering is Elementary] =EiE: Engineering & Technology Lessons for Children!=

Problem Solving, Inquiry, and Innovation SM
The //Engineering is Elementary®// (EiE) project fosters engineering and technological literacy among children. EiE is creating a research-based, standards-driven, and classroom-tested curriculum that integrates engineering and technology concepts and skills with elementary science topics. EiE lessons not only promote K-12 science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) learning, but also connect with literacy and social studies.

This site notes presentations on elementary School level Engineering Education at the J[|une 2010 conference of the American Society for Engineering Education]. One ASEE spokesman notes that in elementary school “You’re not really learning what I would call engineering fundamentals, you’re really learning //about// engineering.” (as if there was something wrong with that!)

A May 14[| press release] from Boston MOS also notes

"Museum of Science's National Center for Technological Literacy Wins Innovation Award"
"The Museum of Science established the NCTL in 2004 to introduce engineering and technology to schools, science centers, and informal education organizations in every state by 2015. The NCTL advances technological literacy by helping state governments modify their educational standards and assessments, designing K-12 engineering materials, offering professional development for educators, and creating museum exhibits and programs. The Museum of Science is the country's only science museum with a comprehensive strategy and infrastructure designed to foster technological literacy in both science museums and schools nationwide."

"About the National Center for Technological Literacy (NCTL) Recognizing that a 21st century curriculum must include today's human-made world, the NCTL's goal is to introduce engineering as early as elementary school and continue it through high school and beyond. The NCTL works with leaders in education, government, and industry to integrate engineering as a new discipline: in schools K-12 by aligning state standards, developing curricula, and teacher training; and in science and other lifelong learning centers by upgrading public perceptions and understanding of engineering and technology through exhibits, programs, and professional development. The NCTL has reached more than 20,000 teachers and 1.3 million students in 50 states. Spearheaded by Miaoulis, Massachusetts was first in the nation in 2001 to develop a statewide K-12 curriculum framework and assessments for technology/engineering. Visit: [|www.mos.org/nctl].