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…

Both those inside and outside of the education community are becoming increasingly familiar with the STEM acronym and the extensive efforts underway nationally to develop integrated PK-12 STEM programs that promote critical thinking, problem solving, 21st Century skill development and authentic learning experiences (Ingram, 2019). However, for…

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…

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…

"Standards for Technological and Engineering Literacy" ("STEL") promotes science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education, where technology and engineering play a critical role as subject integrators. Integration of STEM in project-based learning is an ideal approach, with benefits of enhancing student…

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…

This article describes a lesson in which students will utilize ideation and engineering design to innovate a solution to a design problem using common household products.

How to get more girls involved in Technology and Engineering courses--career and Technical Education departments across Virginia face this question every year. Typical Technology and Engineering classes see 2-3% female students. At Granby High School, the average class had 25 seats, and many were male-only or included only one or two female…

Computational thinking has been popularized in the last decade, particularly with the emphasis on coding education in K-12 schools. The core idea of computational thinking has a close relationship with technology and engineering education (TEE). TEE has emphasized the use of computing skills to solve problems, and integrative STEM education…

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…

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 two-stroke engine is an engineering marvel that has been incorporated into many aspects of modern-day life. While many seek to eliminate the two-stroke, others seek to revive this simple and effective power plant, aiming to make it more environmentally friendly and fuel-efficient. If successful, improvements could be far-reaching and…

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…

This article presents a culturally situated and socially relevant lesson for intentionally teaching secondary students the fundamental engineering concepts related to Problem Framing and Project Management. This lesson includes: (1) class discussions to engage students in a socially relevant problem (food waste and sustainability) within a…

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…