This article describes the NASA-Funded Space Grant Project BOREALIS: "Balloon Outreach, Research, Exploration, and Landscape Imaging System." BOREALIS conducts high-altitude balloon flights to the "edge of space" with flights typically reaching 100,000 feet and a current record flight in the summer of 2020 that reached 126,000…

This article showcases a lesson that employs a culturally situated design context to intentionally teach students about the engineering concepts involved in material selection and the application of dynamics. Students use their classroom time to work in groups addressing the issue of how to design athletic helmets to account for cultural attire,…

The versatility required for employment continues to change with technological advancements. Some of the top listed skills needed for a career are positive attitude, communication, time management, critical-thinking, and problem-solving (Peart, 2019). How to teach each of these competencies may take different strategies and techniques. This…

Computational thinking, programming, coding, and analytical thinking are high-demand skills in today's educational and occupational arenas (Wing, 2006 & 2014). In addition to these skills, students need the ability to think creatively, work collaboratively, and develop design solutions to complex problems to succeed in school and a…

The value of doing projects as a vehicle for instruction has been integral to technology and engineering classes for decades. With the increased emphasis on STEM, project-based learning is becoming more popular with all teachers. Realistically, classrooms can be limited, however, in the tools, materials, and processes needed for project-based…

While some promising efforts have recently been made to connect farmers with new practices of water conservation and assist in the optimization and use of resources, these efforts have not eliminated the need for additional research and sustainable practices in farming. This is especially true for crops such as rice that rely heavily on large…

While the satellite industry is characterized by dynamic innovation, it has steadily matured into a healthy, market-driven model of customers, value generators, and supporting suppliers. Even while the satellite market remains strong, satellite employers are caught squarely in the aerospace talent management paradigm. When a product line is…

In 2002 the World Health Organization (WHO) analyzed available data on Blindness and Low Vision (BLV) from 55 countries and applied it to the 17 WHO epidemiological subregions. Results indicate approximately 37 million people are blind and 124 million have low vision (Foster & Resnikoff, 2005). Providing opportunities for these students to…

Documentation of ideas and the engineering design process is a critical, daily component of a professional engineer's job. While patent protection is often cited as the primary rationale for documentation, it can also benefit the engineer, the team, company, and stakeholders through creating a more rigorously designed and purposeful solution.…

Broadening participation in STEM education programs and boosting the STEM workforce, specifically increasing interest in engineering, has been a growing focus of the U.S. education system (Lawrence & Mancus, 2012; Strimel, Grubbs, & Wells, 2017). The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects overall STEM employment to grow by 8.9% from 2014 to…

The International Technology and Engineering Educators Association (ITEEA) defines STEM as a new transdisciplinary subject in schools that integrates the disciplines of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics into a single course of study. There are three major problems with this definition: There is no consensus in support of the ITEEA…

On February 1, 2015, the New England Patriots clinched a 28-24 point win against the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX. Going into the game, the Patriots were shrouded in controversy regarding possible deflated footballs in their American Football Conference (AFC) Championship game against the Indianapolis Colts, most notably known as…

Today's engineers, designers, and technologists are often thrust into the role of problem solver, from the initial design phase of a product or process all the way to final development. Many engineers in manufacturing environments are tasked with solving problems and continuously improving processes to enhance company profitability, efficiency,…

Students had just participated in an experiential learning exercise where they played dodgeball using marshmallows, but the unique context of the game introduced ethical dilemmas that integrated ethics education into a technical education classroom setting. Research shows that "Engineering curriculum and activities at the K-12 level should be…

Student learning outcomes, beyond the traditional, need to be crafted for the 21st-century learner. It is essential that each student develops a foundation of knowledge, but that is only the beginning. He or she must then have the opportunity to engage in learning that builds on that foundation. There must be enough time in the school day to allow…