Stevens’ K-12 Engineering and Science education center cited by the National Academy of Engineering

HOBOKEN, N.J. — The importance of infusing engineering and science concepts in elementary-, middle- and high-school classrooms has hit the books, so to speak.

The Engineering Our Future NJ program, led by Stevens Institute of Technology’s Center for Innovation in Engineering in Science Education (CIESE), was highlighted in the newly released policy report published by the National Academy of Engineering, titled “Engineering in K-12 Education: Understanding the Status and Improving the Prospects.”

The committee that produced the report says that engineering education at the K-12 level should emphasize engineering design and a creative problem-solving process. It should also include relevant concepts in mathematics, science, and technology, as well as support the development of skills that many believe are essential for the 21st century, including systems thinking, collaboration, and communication.

While science, technology, engineering, and mathematics instruction is collectively referred to as "STEM education," the report finds that the engineering component is often absent in policy discussions and in the classroom. In fact, engineering might be called the missing letter in STEM, the report says. Study director Dr. Linda Katehi, chancellor of the University of California, Davis, notes, "A K-12 education that does not include at least some exposure to engineering is a lost opportunity for students and for the nation."

"Since 2004 CIESE has pioneered programs and research in K-12 engineering education throughout New Jersey, impacting more than 2,900 teachers from more than 650 schools in 280 districts in all of New Jersey’s 21 counties with teacher professional development and innovative student programs,” says Beth McGrath, Director of CIESE. “Our programs have ranged from elementary science and engineering lessons that have led to significant student learning gains in science, to a novel underwater robotics project that has resulted in increased student achievement and career interest in engineering and science. The inclusion of CIESE/Stevens' in this major policy report illustrates that our work in New Jersey has national significance,” she says.

Engineering Our Future NJ has been funded by a variety of organizations, including several grants from the National Science Foundation, the NJ Department of Education, and corporate gifts from Verizon, the Edison Venture Fund, Honeywell, the Motorola Foundation, and PSE&G.

The curricular approach is to both infuse engineering into science and mathematics curricula where alignments with the New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standard allow, and to promote engineering and technology as standalone curricula where such implementation is possible. CIESE provides professional development for teachers, curriculum planning, and other types of technical assistance.

Three additional research papers reporting on CIESE engineering education research were also cited in Engineering in K-12 Education: Understanding the Status and Improving the Prospects.

The full publication is available at:

http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12635

The press release from the National Academy of Engineering can be seen at:

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2009-09/naos-kes090809.php

About Stevens Institute of Technology

Founded in 1870, Stevens Institute of Technology is one of the leading technological universities in the world dedicated to learning and research. Through its broad-based curricula, nurturing of creative inventiveness, and cross disciplinary research, the Institute is at the forefront of global challenges in engineering, science, and technology management. Partnerships and collaboration between, and among, business, industry, government and other universities contribute to the enriched environment of the Institute. A new model for technology commercialization in academe, known as Technogenesis®, involves external partners in launching business enterprises to create broad opportunities and shared value.

Stevens offers baccalaureates, master’s and doctoral degrees in engineering, science, computer science and management, in addition to a baccalaureate degree in the humanities and liberal arts, and in business and technology. The university has a total enrollment of 2,150 undergraduate and 3,500 graduate students, with about 250 full-time faculty. Stevens’ graduate programs have attracted international participation from China, India, Southeast Asia, Europe and Latin America. Additional information may be obtained from its web page at www.stevens.edu.  

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