Engineering Applications in Teacher Preparation

在美国，合格的数学和科学教师的短缺正在达到流行病的程度。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。一个结果是，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是我们的工程学院。工科学生和教员凭借他们高度发展的数学和科学技能，以及他们在将数学和科学应用于现实世界问题方面的独特视角，非常适合帮助缓解这一紧迫的国家问题。该项目通过实施三项活动来改进K-12系统的数学和科学教学。首先是为未来的中学教师开发一门工程在教育中的应用课程和一门辅修技术和设计的课程。这些课程由密歇根理工学院的工程和技术教师开发和教授，北密歇根大学也在改编，该大学与密歇根理工学院在该项目上密切合作。第二项活动是制定一项计划，让学生在获得认可的工程学学士学位的同时，满足教师认证要求--所有这些都是在正常的四年学习课程中进行的。在当地学区的实习将确保感兴趣的学生在课堂上有至关重要的经历。第三项活动是开发暑期课程，旨在向现有的K-12教师，特别是在少数民族人口较多的学区工作的教师介绍工程学原理。

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.