Teaching Engineering in the Middle Schools: Virginia Middle Schools Engineering Education Initiative

1 Larry G. Richards, University of Virginia, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Charlottesville, Va. 229044746 Phone: 434 924 3191, [email protected] 2 Gabriel Laufer University of Virginia, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, [email protected] 3 Joseph A.C. Humphrey, University of Virginia, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, [email protected] Abstract The Virginia Middle Schools Engineering Education Initiative (VMSEEI) will design, implement, test and evaluate “engineering teaching kits” to be used by teachers and student teachers to facilitate engineering instruction in the middle schools. The engineering teaching kits (ETKs) will allow teachers to instruct students on selected engineering concepts and procedures within the context of preexisting science and mathematics classes. ETKs will include a strong focus on design and innovation, how things work, how things are made, and the social and environmental impacts of technology. Each ETK will include a student guide explaining key concepts and methods, a teacher’s guide, plans for demonstrations and experiments, and where appropriate a computer-based component (such as a demonstration or simulation). The ETKs will involve active, hands-on, cooperative learning; students will work in teams to solve problems and design solutions.