Page 12 - Standards for K-12 Engineering Education

Standards for K-12 Engineering Education?

Contents

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1

1 INTRODUCTION 5
Defining Engineering, 6
A Brief History of Standards in STEM Education, 7
Project Goal, Objectives, and Study Process, 9
Content of the Report and Intended Audience, 10
References, 10
Annex, 12

2 ARGUMENTS FOR AND AGAINST CONTENT STANDARDS
FOR K–12 ENGINEERING EDUCATION 15
Special Characteristics of K–12 Engineering Education, 17
The Argument for Engineering Content Standards, 17
The Argument against Engineering Content Standards, 18
Conclusion, 19
References, 19

3 LEVERAGING EXISTING STANDARDS TO IMPROVE
K–12 ENGINEERING EDUCATION 23
The Infusion Approach, 23
The Mapping Approach, 28
Conclusion, 30
References, 31
Annex, 35

4 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 37
Step 1: Reach Consensus on Core Ideas in Engineering, 37
Step 2: Provide Guidelines for the Development of Instructional Materials, 39
Step 3: Boost Research on Learning, 40
Step 4: Measure the Impact of Reforms, 42
A Final Word, 43
References, 44
Annex, 45

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