K-12 engineering and technology education initiative leaders will discuss conceptual frameworks, curricular initiatives, implementation strategies and attendant challenges related to institutionalizing K-12 engineering programs in the nation’s schools.
Support has been rapidly growing for the establishment of K-12 engineering and technology education (ETE) programs in the United States. The idea has been promulgated by many STEM educators and disciplinary leaders, science and engineering associations, and governmental agencies. In addition to the workforce imperative, engineering and technology experiences can be pedagogically very valuable for all students – not only in providing an effective way to reinforce mathematics, science, social science, and language skills, but by mobilizing engineering thinking as a way to engage young people in addressing design challenges in social contexts that are personally meaningful to them.
In a panel discussion, leaders of several K-12 engineering and technology (ETE) initiatives will discuss research, conceptual curricular designs, instructional strategies, and impediments to implementation of school-based ETE programs.
Audience members as participants will be invited to dialogue about several central questions related to institutionalizing K-12 ETE programs in the nation's schools.