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Poject
In preparation for a statewide technology
education competition, a high school teacher gives a challenging
problem to students: construct a hand-launched, balsa wood,
glider that will fly for a maximum amount of time and conform
to specific competition guidelines. This problem is one
example of the many technology-based competitive events
which annually challenges more than 100,000 middle and high
school students.
The TECH know Project is based upon twenty
technology-based problems issued by the Technology
Student Association (TSA). The problems cover a wide
variety of topics in construction, communication, manufacturing,
and transportation technology. The competition engages students
in hands-on, problem-based learning and is based upon fundamental
science, mathematics, and technology concepts. Although
the problems are motivational and interesting to students,
there is a lack of instructional materials related to the
problems.
The TECH know Project is designed to remedy
this deficiency.North
Carolina State University recently received a four-year
grant from the National Science Foundation to develop standards-based
instructional materials for twenty TSA Competitive Events.
The TECH-know project represents a significant collaboration
between selected state departments, universities, businesses,
and TSA.
Over the next four years, teachers from
North Carolina, Virginia, Oklahoma, and Florida will have
the opportunity to pilot units that reflect the Standards
for Technological Literacy, National Science Education Standards,
and the Principles and Standards for School Mathematics,
and TSA Competitive Events. Business and industry professionals
will use their practical expertise in reviewing the TSA
problems to identify the essential concepts that teachers
should teach and students will need to learn to be successful
in solving real world problems.
The TECH-know project will develop publications
based upon TSA competitive events and the profits from the
publications will be returned to TSA to fund the development
of future instructional materials. Since the publication
will be standards-based, it has the potential to encourage
broader integration of TSA competitive events in the classroom.
The receiving of this grant confirms the value of using
TSA events to implement standards based curriculum.
The projected outcomes of the TECH-know
project include:
- The publication of high quality instructional
materials that enhance the development of fundamental
science, mathematics, and technology knowledge.
- The development of student creativity
and critical thinking skills related to science, mathematics,
and technology through the application of problem-based,
inquiry-guided pedagogy.
- Positive student attitudes toward science,
mathematics, and technology.
How TSA will benefit from the TECH-know
Project?
- Increased awareness of the TSA and
its importance to technology education.
- Through research conducted during the
TECH-know Project.
- Profits from the publication will go
back to TSA to continue future curriculum development
projects
This is an exciting opportunity
for NC State University, TSA, and Technology Education.
Congratulations to all of those involved.
For more information about the TECH-know project, you may
contact us at: techknow@gw.ncsu.edu.
NSF# 0095726 - 2001
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