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Washington, D.C. – October 22, 2009 - The Subcommittee on Research and Science Education today held a hearing to explore the potential benefits of incorporating engineering education at the K-12 level by examining current models.
“I suspect that many innovative teachers have been including engineering in their classrooms for years without explicitly calling it such,” said Subcommittee Ranking Member Vernon Ehlers (R-MI). “However, there is a benefit to students knowing that it is indeed engineering they are learning and how it may be applied in the workforce.”
Ehlers noted that, “to advance K-12 engineering education, it will be necessary to improve communication and collaboration between the various science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines.”
STEM education research and activities are funded by a number of federal agencies, with the National Science Foundation (NSF) being the primary source of support for STEM education research. Historically, NSF’s mission has included supporting and strengthening the nation’s STEM research and education activities at all levels. NSF funds research on K-12 engineering education as well as a variety of K-12 engineering education activities ranging from teacher training to curriculum development.
Representing NSF at today’s hearing, Dr. Thomas Peterson, Assistant Director for Engineering, clarified NSF’s role in supporting K-12 STEM education. “The NSF is not about providing long-term and sustained funding for programs,” Peterson pointed out. “We provide the support for new ideas, new curricula, new approaches to engineering education and educational pedagogy. We provide that support for targeted programs in schools and institutions with new and creative ideas.”
One such targeted program discussed at today’s hearing is the Martha and Josh Morriss Mathematics and Engineering Elementary School, located in Texarkana, Texas. The school is part of a collaborative effort between Texas A&M University and the Texarkana Independent School District, offering a structured K-16 pathway for students to become interested in STEM fields and to eventually earn a bachelors degree in engineering. Such collaboration has shown demonstrated success, and could be a model for similar collaborations nationwide.
Describing the benefits of focusing on real-life engineering models at an early age, Mr. Rick Sandlin, Principal of the Martha and Josh Morriss Mathematics and Engineering Elementary School, described the groundbreaking curricula they are using. “Morriss Elementary curriculum is standards-based, integrated and connected to the lives of learners,” Sandlin said. “The curriculum is designed to be compelling - to move beyond information and support the transfer of learning. The goal of Morriss Elementary is to facilitate integrated, higher level critical thinking which promotes STEM education.”
Sandlin continued, “This preparation for the world in which our students will be expected to compete must be held to a more rigorous standard… We’re trying to raise the bar through the thrill of discovery.”
Applauding the innovative model of Morriss Elementary, Full Committee Ranking Member Ralph Hall (R-TX) recommended the school be a model for STEM education. “Chairman Gordon and I were privileged to visit this phenomenal campus last year and see first-hand one of only a few public model schools currently in the nation focused specifically on elementary engineering and mathematics. Hopefully, it can be replicated in other towns suitable for a similar experience.”
The following witnesses also testified at today’s hearing:
Dr. Linda Katehi, Chair, National Academy of Engineering Committee on K-12 Engineering Education, and Chancellor, University of California, Davis;
Dr. Ioannis Miaoulis, President and Director, Museum of Science, Boston and Founder, National Center for Technological Literacy; and
Dr. Darryll Pines, Dean and Nariman Farvardin Professor of Engineering, A. James Clark School of Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park.
For more information on today’s hearing or to read witness testimony, please visit the GOP Science and Technology Committee website.
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