Engineering Connections: Teaching Engineering Mechanics To K 12 Teachers

Abstract

This paper describes an innovative course designed for K-12 educators to integrate engineering principles in mathematics and science curricula. "Engineering Connections" was first offered as an experimental summer workshop for practicing teachers and will continue as a semester course for preservice teachers in spring, 2000. The course is constructed as a study of three modules: force, levers, and gears; principles of bridge design; and electricity. Students experience handson, inquiry-based instruction through simple investigations and apply engineering concepts in a four-week internship. This paper presents the course objectives and content, the teaching and learning model, and the student-conducted experiments.

Biomedical Engineering Projects: Integrating Outreach Into Engineering Education

“…At Saint Louis University and elsewhere, two obstacles have been noted in attracting future students: (1) many students are not prepared for the rigors of engineering and (2) students don't see role models like themselves in engineering. A variety of K-12 programs [3][4][5] have been set up to address these issues, however local outreach efforts, such as demonstrations for middle school students performed by undergraduate students, may be able to address both of these issues on a small scale. If these demonstrations are performed at the middle school level, students can more easily recognize their needed coursework and take these courses in high school.…”