Page 99 - Standards for K-12 Engineering Education

Standards for K-12 Engineering Education?

84 STANDARDS FOR K–12 ENGINEERING EDUCATION?

both verbs and products (e.g., “a plan for production”). However, it is not always clear what is
expected (come up with such a plan or only be able to interpret it, etc.).

2.2 Australia
In my previous report I described the Higher School Certificate in Engineering Studies in the
state of New South Wales. In this report I present information from other states as well.

One of the six Australian states, namely the state of New South Wales, offers a Higher School
Certificate in Engineering Studies, similar to the British GCE in Engineering. Other states offer
similar certificates, such as Engineering Studies (Western Australia), Engineering Technology
(Queensland), and Systems Engineering (Victoria). The certificate in New South Wales is
offered to students in grades 11 and 12 in the Australian system, usually referred to as senior
secondary education (comparable to grades 11 and 12 in the United States). Education in New
South Wales includes kindergarten (grade K), primary education (grades 1–6), and secondary
education (grades 7–12). In some states the split between primary and secondary education is
after grade 7.

As in the United States, some aspects of education are arranged at the national level and some at
the state level. The inclusion of technology education as a compulsory learning area in all
schools has been determined at the national level. Like the U.K., Australia has a National
Curriculum that includes VET (vocational education and training) certificates that can be earned
simultaneously with the general Senior Secondary Certificate.

The state of New South Wales has decided to offer a VET Certificate in Engineering Studies. In
2000, the course was revised and renamed Engineering Studies (previously it was Engineering
Sciences). The New South Wales Certificate in Engineering Studies requires an understanding
of the nature and practice of engineering. Students also learn basic engineering concepts, the
social dimensions of engineering, and problem solving skills through a modular approach.
Preliminary modules, which deal with systems that are familiar to students, such as household
appliances, landscape products, braking systems, and simple biotechnology, take about 120
hours of study. Another 120 hours of more advanced modules are required to complete the
certificate. These modules include civil structures, transport, lifting devices, aeronautics, and
telecommunications. There is also room in the course of study for special modules of local
interest.

In 2006, 1,419 students (mostly female) were enrolled in the VET Certificate in Engineering
Studies program. At this time, there are no data indicating the success of the new certificate
program. The former Engineering Studies Certificate resulted in 41 percent of students
continuing to university, with approximately 32 percent of them pursuing science and
engineering disciplines. Forty-one percent is a good score compared to the overall percentage
(35 percent) of grade 12 students who continue to university.

Our research turned up standards for three Australian states—Western Australia, New South
Wales, and Victoria. In all three, the list of Course Standards (Western Australia), Objectives
and Outcomes (New South Wales), and Unit Titles (Victoria) are very condensed. The Western
Australia materials have standards for six levels (levels 3–8). Although no indication is given of

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