Archive for December, 2007

LEGO Project Inspires Students

Posted by John Hunter on December 31st, 2007 | 1 Comment »

LEGO project inspires students

After school every Thursday at New Haven Elementary more than 60 students gather to discuss energy sources, plan building models, and learn more about science and engineering. The group, made up of first-, second- and third-graders, is participating in Junior First LEGO League (JFLL). JFLL is a worldwide organization that introduces children to concepts of teamwork and basic design skills.

Karen Cheser, elementary director of teaching and learning for Boone County Schools, brought the program to the district. It relies on 10 volunteer coaches including school teachers, a robotics engineer, parents, and business owners to guide students.
…
“Participation is very active because of the hands-on component of the work,” Fortner said. “Students see it as a club, but we look at it as an extension of the school day, because it teaches fundamental science concepts, it encourages teamwork, and builds social skills.”

The First LEGO League web site provides information on local programs all over the world.

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Engineering for a Changing World

Posted by John Hunter on December 14th, 2007 | 3 Comments »

James J. Duderstadt, President Emeritus and University Professor of Science and Engineering, The University of Michigan provides an extensive report on the state of engineering in the USA. The report focusing on engineering education and the role of engineering in the economy and society. Engineering for a Changing World – A Roadmap to the Future of Engineering Practice, Research, and Education. Recommended actions include:

  • Engineering professional and disciplinary societies, working with engineering leadership groups such as the National Academy of Engineering, ABET, the American Association of Engineering Societies, and the American Society for Engineering Education, should strive to create a guild-like culture in the engineering profession, similar to those characterizing other learned professions such as medicine and law that aim to shape rather than simply react to market pressures.
  • The federal government, in close collaboration with industry and higher education, should launch a large number of Discovery Innovation Institutes at American universities…
  • Undergraduate engineering should be reconfigured as an academic discipline, similar to other liberal arts disciplines in the sciences, arts, and humanities…
  • In a world characterized by rapidly accelerating technologies and increasing complexity, it is essential that the engineering profession adopt a structured approach to lifelong learning for practicing engineers similar to those in medicine and law…

Related: The Future is Engineering – Science, Engineering and the Future of the American Economy – MIT task force report on the Undergraduate Educational Commons – Harvard Elevates Engineering Profile - Imperial outlines vision for new era in engineering education – Geeks and Chiefs: Engineering Education at MIT – Leah Jamieson on the Future of Engineering Education – Global Engineering Excellence Study – Educating the Engineer of 2020

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Project Lead The Way

Posted by John Hunter on December 6th, 2007 | 2 Comments »

Project Lead The Way is a great effort to create partnerships with primary and secondary schools, universities, business and industry to prepare more students to be successful in science, engineering, and engineering technology. Universities with contacts include: Arizona State University, Milwaukee School of Engineering, Oklahoma State University, Purdue University, Rochester Institute of Technology, University of Minnesota, University of South Carolina, West Virginia University. They also have a list of state contacts, for every state.

PLTW’s curriculum makes math and science relevant for students. By engaging in hands-on, real-world projects, students understand how the skills they are learning in the classroom can be applied in everyday life. The High School Program is a four year sequence of courses which, when combined with traditional mathematics and science courses in high school, introduces students to the scope, rigor and discipline of engineering prior to entering college. However, those not intending to pursue further formal education will benefit greatly from the knowledge and logical thought processes that result from taking some or all of the courses provided in the curriculum.

Some articles discussing PLTW efforts around the country:

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