Engineering Concepts for the High School Classroom

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A seven day workshop is proposed for 24 high school science (biology, chemistry and physics) and mathematics teachers from across the nation. The teachers will experience first hand an unusual systematic instructional strategy which employs open ended problem solving techniques. During the first three days the participants work in interdisciplinary teams of four to devise a product that addresses a problem or need in an assigned field e.g safety or energy conservation. Workshop participants are encouraged to call upon companies as they develop their solution and are encouraged to consider how to capitalize on the industrial interests and talent available. In addition a key test of a team's solution to a problem is found in the presentation to a review board. The second half of the workshop participants are teamed with other teachers from the same discipline. The task is again problem solving with teachers working to develop curricular modules for use in their high school classrooms which incorporate the problem solving techniques they have learned. Each teacher who participates will present at least one in- service program in their home district during the year following their participation in the workshop. The program is for four years with four teachers from the previous year returning to the workshop to serve as "master teachers". These teaching assistants will develop a manual for dissemination and use in future workshops. Cost sharing is 4%.