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…

As a resource for manufacturing and construction, wood has much to offer: it is renewable, beautiful, locally obtainable, and rather easy to machine. In addition to building products out of wood, wood can be scientifically studied in the classroom and lab. In the age of STEM integration, technology and engineering teachers can teach wood science,…

As 3D printers become more affordable, schools are using them in increasing numbers. They fit well with the emphasis on product design in technology and engineering education, allowing students to create high-fidelity physical models to see and test different iterations in their product designs. They may also help students to "think in three…

Whether you teach elementary school students, secondary school students, or college students, you can include upcycling activities in your class to promote both design skills and an environmental ethic. This article shares how a teacher at one school is doing just this, providing suggestions for those who have different material processing…

3D printing is becoming ever more popular in both the manufacturing world as well as in technology and engineering education classrooms all over the United States. 3D printing is an additive manufacturing process in which successive layers of material are built up to produce three-dimensional objects from computer-aided design (CAD) files, making…

Technology and engineering education and its predecessors have a long history of being effective programs for helping students learn about technology and technological design. Students are often asked to solve design challenges, develop product ideas, and create models or prototypes for products. They do not often set up tests with product users…

The goal of formal education is student learning. By emphasizing experimentation in the classroom or lab, students learn about the results of a particular inquiry. But more importantly, they learn to refine their approach to learning by creating new knowledge rather than merely remembering what they have been told. An inquiry approach where…

Technology and engineering (TE) educators have long championed the infusion of mathematics into technology curriculum, especially to enhance TE learning goals and demonstrate "connections between technology and other fields of study." There is a need for curriculum development and professional development initiatives to purposefully…

Many prospective graduate students wish they could hear directly from graduate advisors at different universities that offer a master's degree in the field they are seeking. They could speak from experience to help prospective students decide if this is the best time for them to start graduate study. They could help prospective students…

A proposal is made suggesting the inclusion of historiography (i.e., historical research and the writing of history) into graduate technology teacher education. In particular, a strategy is forwarded to have graduate students in technology teacher education, who are working at schools in different locations, conduct historical research and write…

As with any field, technology education and its close relatives have numerous strengths and weaknesses. One of these weaknesses has too long been overlooked, and it is the subject of this article. One might think of technology education as empowering students, divergently fostering their own creativity. An abundance of design briefs shows that…

It takes an honest look for a technology teacher to determine whether he or she should engage in doctoral study. Doctoral programs have a rather high attrition rate, as high as 40 or 50%, and university resources might be better spent on those who have a greater chance of succeeding. However, for those who take the plunge, doctoral studies can be…

Students use tables of anthropometric data, their own measurements, underlying principles of physics, and math to solve a problem. The problem is to determine the height of a wall mirror, and where to mount it, so that 90% of the clientele can view their entire length without stretching or bending. (Author)

A three-dimensional laser scanner can be used as a tool for design and problem solving in technology education. A hands-on experience can enhance learning by captivating students' interest and empowering them with creative tools. (Author/JOW)

Looks at how a new laser machining center is being used for technology education at Ball State University. The ideas are also applicable for high school technology education. (JOW)