Emerging engineers need to rely on a whole body of scientific and technical knowledge, but also on a wide set of competencies. For engineering schools a competency objectives approach requires specific pedagogical methods. Some competencies based on skills and attitudes are difficult to develop through traditional teaching, so in 2003 our…

Design is at the heart of vocational training programmes. That is the reason why teaching design and training students to design are major concerns of engineering schools. Our participation in this training favours a particular approach: reflexive practice. The Reflexive pedagogy lays the emphasis on the metaphorical dimension of learning. It is…

The purpose of this study was to describe a process of preparing technology education teachers to teach engineering design concepts in the context of technology education. This process was identified through a study of professional development activities that were organized and conducted by technology teacher education partner universities of the…

The Mechanical Engineering Section at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy has developed a comprehensive activity based course to introduce second year students to mechanical engineering design. The culminating design activity for the course requires students to design, construct and test robotic devices that complete engineering challenges. Teams of…

This study examined university students' knowledge of and attitudes (n = 378) toward biotechnology in Slovakia, a conservative country where the distribution of genetically engineered products are banned by law. We found a significant positive correlation between attitudes and the level of knowledge; however, although students enrolled in biology…

This article describes a portion of a long-term action-research project investigating the teaching of the science of transportation to high school students using the case study or experiential method. Other aspects integrated with the project-oriented study are the use of Constructivist theory, the Socratic Method, and the incorporation of…

This study focuses on the long-term retention of basic mathematical techniques in a first-year calculus course, involving a sample group of engineering students at the University of Pretoria. The study investigates which and how much of the basic mathematical knowledge and rote skills acquired in the first year of study is retained after a further…

It is challenging for biomedical engineering programs to incorporate an indepth study of the systemic interdependence of cells, tissues, and organs into the rigorous mathematical curriculum that is the cornerstone of engineering education. To be sure, many biomedical engineering programs require their students to enroll in anatomy and physiology…

This paper is a summary of the use of the Technology Engineering in K-12 education that integrates science and technology to positively impact students and teachers. The Technology Enhanced Learning in Science Center (or "TELS") is a research consortium that uses dynamic and innovative technology-based solutions combined with science…

Reports on one technical institution which awards a B.S. in science degree when a student can display competencies in selected fields of engineering and a project which interrelates the problems of society with technology. This latter requirement, the interactive qualifying project, and the development of the program from the historian's point of…

Two instructional methodologies are described in this article: (1) a case study approach is advocated for the relevance and motivation it provides, and (2) a lecture and group study approach in which behavioral objectives must be met. (CP)

Describes a modular approach to science scheduling in use at a polytechnic institution. Along with various course alternatives, students spend one year during training in an industrial setting. (CP)

A low-cost tensile testing machine was built for testing polymeric films. This apparatus also allows for tear-strength and flexural tests. The experimental results, obtained from common-use materials, selected by the students, such as plastic bags, illustrate important aspects of the mechanical behavior of polymeric materials. Some of the tests…

The traditional mathematical 'service' courses offered to students preparing for a science or technical career are criticized. Recommended is the replacement of these courses by integrated courses which emphasize mathematical modeling and which are prepared and taught by teams of mathematicians, scientists and technologists. (JP)

Uses extracts from a Learning Activity Package in basic surveying to illustrate the motivating factors found in the audio-tutorial system of instruction. (JR)