The intention of this article is to provide Technology and Engineering Educators (T&EEs) with a more thorough understanding of the product realization process (PRP) being implemented during machine design. Machines can be defined as the combination of simple machines and mechanisms for the purpose of doing work (Hughes & Merrill, 2021b).…

For students to gain the most out of education, they need to form long-term memories from experiences gained through active learning. The greatest distinction between active learning and traditional approaches involves the types of tasks and problems the students are challenged to solve. Active learning activities should be structured with student…

This article discusses a design contest where students can submit new technology designs and be judged for their creativity and unique ideas. Design contests are a wonderful way to stimulate creativity and build student confidence. In this article the author explores some of the issues of importance involved in designing and launching such a…

The engineering design process is very involved, and it is easy to superficially treat some design steps by rushing through them. This superficial treatment not only jeopardizes student learning of good design thinking skills, but it also fosters a sense of busywork because students feel as though they are just checking boxes rather than engaging…

This article describes central tenets for design thinking and entrepreneurial thinking individually, then examines their intersection to analyze a product's feasibility in the market. The conceptual framework of combining design and entrepreneurial thinking can foster novelty in design, and also provides a means of extending instruction in the…

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the engineering profession with the highest demand in 2021 is biomedical engineering (BME) (BLS, January 2021). Biomedical engineers combine engineering principles with medical and biological sciences to design and create equipment, devices, computer systems, and software used in healthcare (BLS, 2021).…

The use of CO[subscript 2] laser cutters/engravers in technology and engineering education "allows even beginning students to produce professional parts in a very short time [and] empowers and motivates students, helping to bring out their creativity" (Flowers, 2000, p. 11). They are fast, accurate, fun to use, and they facilitate…

This article is in response to requests that the author provide sketching techniques to help teach young learners how to improve their design sketching. Teachers indicated that, like creative confidence, students lack confidence in their sketching abilities and teachers also often struggle to be confident in teaching sketching. This article…

The intention of this article is to provide Technology and Engineering Educators (T&EEs) with a more thorough understanding of implementing the product realization process (PRP) to help manage the design and development processes in their classrooms. The product realization process (PRP) innately involves a practical combination of knowledge,…

Engineering design has been central to technology education. Currently, online collaborative platforms for designers are widely used as digital forms of an engineer's notebook. However, traditional forms are still valued as the medium of engineering design during the conceptual phase of design since a paper notebook and pen or pencil allow…

A group of adults, dressed in authentic medieval costumes, organize and stage a full-scale battle at a local park; weapons (made from foam), roles, and medieval speech are all part of the event. This is known as "Live Action Role Play" -- more commonly referred to as "LARP." Although many settings and scenarios have been used…

This Engineering in Action article presents a socially relevant lesson designed to intentionally teach secondary students core engineering concepts related to the practices of Engineering Design and Quantitative Analysis as well as knowledge related to Engineering Sciences (presented in the "Framework for P-12 Engineering Learning"…

On a hot summer night in July 2020, several technology education experts in South Korea and the United States gathered in a Zoom meeting room. The meeting started with a brief introduction of ITEEA's new standards, "Standards for Technological and Engineering Literacy" ("STEL"; ITEEA, 2020), to the Korean audience and discussed…

This reflective essay provides a lesson plan-ready overview of sustainability developed through the efforts of a dedicated team of individuals within the Falls Church City Public School (FCCPS) System. Students in the marquee sustainability education program learn and develop an appreciation for the basics of growing food and the importance of…

The commercial use of UAS (unmanned aerial systems) more commonly known as "drones" is increasing rapidly in a variety of areas from agriculture to construction (Marshall, 2016). The need for people who can safely operate UAS, understand the legal restrictions and privacy concerns related to UAS use, and build and repair UAS is…