The TeachEngineering Digital Library Collection: An Engineering Resource for K-12 Jacquelyn Sullivan and Mindy Zarske— University of Colorado at Boulder René Reitsma — Oregon State University Gary Ybarra, Nancy Shaw and Paul Klenk — Duke University Mike Mooney — Colorado School of Mines Martha Cyr — Worcester Polytechnic Institute

TeachEngineering is… A searchable, web-based digital library collection of standards-based, engineering lessons and activities for K-12 see TeachEngineering.com

TeachEngineering Vision To use engineering as a vehicle to integrate science and math in K-12 classrooms through inquiry-based curricula and hands-on activities that demonstrate the creativity of engineering and are relevant to the lives of youth Initial curricular contents: –111 lessons –201 hands-on activities –Increasing thru 2006

TeachEngineering Infrastructure System architecture developed by OSU Traditional digital library architecture based on Linux, Apache, MySQL and PHP software tools Unified “look & feel” template requires common curricular elements

TeachEngineering Infrastructure Functionality for searching and displaying curricula Associates related curricula into comprehensive curricular units Checking system verifies all linked connections are operational

Creating Value for Users K-12 Teachers –One-stop shopping –Curricula for classroom use Engineering Faculty and Fellows –Use collection to partner with local schools –Opportunity to make lasting contribution –University service-learning courseware opportunities Practicing engineers from industry and societies –What math and science do 5th graders do? –What curricular content are 7 th grade science teachers held accountable for students learning?

TeachEngineering Features Standards-based  Organized by: –Activities –Lessons –Multi-week curricular units –Living Labs Dynamic (contents evolve) Consistent look and feel (requires structured template) Initial states (CO, MA, NC) National (McREL, AAAS, NSES, NCTM, ITEA) Cross-correlated

Consistent TE Components Lesson or Activity Summary Student Learning Objectives Background & Concepts for Teachers Engineering Connections Correlating Educational Standards Activity Preparation Procedures Extensive (and varied) Assessment Vocabulary and Definitions Time Required Expendable Cost per Group Troubleshooting Tips Extension Activities

Web portals to real and archival data from real-world systems for use in engineering, science and math activities Engineering Our Water (USGS data) Wind Engineering (wind farm data) Fastracks (Denver transportation data) Encourage students to explore, construct meaning, critically think about and use data for analysis and design

Searching TeachEngineering Example: Search for engineering lessons about the laws of motion that address Colorado physical science standard 2.1 for 5 th grade… Searchable at multiple levels by: Subject area Grade level Keyword Educ. Standard Lesson Activity and more...

Early Teacher Curriculum Ratings

Service-Learning Outreach Corps Service-learning technical elective Upper-division undergraduate students Use TE digital library as resource Outreach scholarship: –Develop & test a new lesson & activity for TE –Example: elementary-level Simple Machines from Pyramids to Skyscrapers

Long-term sustainability Collection growth Collection maintenance –Routine software upgrades –Prompt broken link resolution –Upgrade curricular components with user feedback Expanding state standards for all 50 states State standards currency (~every 5 years) TeachEngineering Challenges

Incorporating new content from faculty nationwide — university and K-12 Evolve contents as new fields emerge Content quality Assessment is critical (it’s about the users…) Better QA/QC mechanisms Central processing capability? Create corporate alliance (with HP partnership)

ASEE Partnership Promote TeachEngineering collection Engineering faculty workshops K-12 teacher professional development workshops K-12 Surveys, feedback

TeachEngineering.com