Engineering Applications in Teacher Preparation

在美国，合格的数学和科学教师的短缺已经达到了普遍的程度。一些估计表明，目前多达40%的数学和科学教师既没有接受过培训，也没有这样做的背景。结果之一是，尽管我们是世界上最富有的国家之一，但我们的孩子在数学和科学准备方面一直落后于其他国家的同龄人。改善K-12级数学和科学教学的一个尚未开发的资源在于我们的工程学院。工科学生和教师拥有高度发达的数学和科学技能，以及他们将数学和科学应用于现实世界问题的独特视角，非常适合帮助缓解这一毁灭性的国家问题。本项目通过实施三项活动来改善K-12系统的数学和科学教学。首先是为未来的中学教师开设一门“教育中的工程应用”课程和一门“技术与设计”教学辅修课程。这些课程由密歇根理工大学的工程和技术学院开发和提供，北密歇根大学也在这个项目上与密歇根理工大学密切合作。第二项活动是开发一项计划，使学生获得认可的工程学士学位，同时满足教师认证要求——所有这些都在正常的四年课程学习中完成。在当地学区实习将确保感兴趣的学生在课堂上获得至关重要的经验。第三项活动是开发暑期课程，旨在向现有的K-12教师介绍工程原理，特别是那些在少数民族人口较多的学区工作的教师。

PROJECT SUMMARYShortages of qualified mathematics and science teachers in America are reaching epidemic proportions. Some estimates suggest that as many as 40% of current math and science teachers do not have the training nor the background to do so. One result is that even though we are one of the richest nations on earth, our children consistently lag behind peers in other countries in terms of mathematics and science preparation. An untapped resource for improving mathematics and science instruction at the K-12 level lies in our colleges of engineering. Engineering students and faculty, with their highly developed mathematics and science skills as well as their unique perspective on the application of mathematics and science to real world problems, are ideally suited to assist in alleviating this crushing national problem. This project is improving mathematics and science instruction in the K-12 system through implementation of three activities. The first is the development of a course on Engineering Applications in Education and a teaching minor for Technology and Design for future secondary teachers. These courses are being developed and delivered by engineering and technology faculty at Michigan Tech and are also being adapted by Northern Michigan University which is closely partnering with Michigan Tech on the project. The second activity is the development of a program whereby students are receiving an accredited Bachelor's of Engineering degree while simultaneously satisfying teacher certification requirements--all within a normal four-year course of study. Internships with local school districts will ensure that interested students have critically important experiences in the classroom. The third activity is the development of summer coursework aimed at introducing engineering principles to current K-12 teachers, especially those working in school districts with high minority populations.