In 2010, the University of St. Thomas' Center for Engineering Education started a graduate program in Engineering Education (and more broadly, integrated STEAM) for K-12 educators. The four class program results in earning 12 graduate credits, and a certificate in Engineering Education from the University of St. Thomas. Working with the teachers in this program has been one of the greatest joys in my time here at UST. Thanks to past sponsorships from donors including Google, and the support of the university, we are able to offer the classes (each providing 3 graduate credits) at $1,200 each with a large scholarship fund as well. It has been a delight to greet students from all over the midwest, and I have been so impressed by the teachers who would drive multiple hours to spend the weekend in our classes. It has also been sad to tell foreign educators and out-of state teachers that we didn't have a virtual option.... until now!
Starting in February 2018, you will be able to participate in Engineering Education classes at UST through online offerings (as well as our summer week-long programs.) First up for 2018:
- EGED531: Engineering Design (for Educators) taught by me
- EGED530: Fundamentals of Engineering for Educators taught by Dr. Deb Besser
More information on the course content can be found here.
Students participating in my online EGED531 class will be deep diving into Engineering Design, the Maker Movement, Creativity, and Art/Engineering. Despite the online format, this will be an intensely hands-on and interactive class and I do hope that you'll join us. The learning goals for the course are that all participants will:
- Develop a model of the Engineering Design Process for their students.
- Create artifacts using a variety of design tools (including 3 dimensional Computer Aided Design, circuit design modeling, and hand drawing.)
- Create Engineering Design Challenges which require students to use STEM content and age-appropriate analysis.
- Discuss the impact that engineering design choices have on the environment and humanity.
- Identify opportunities and tools for encouraging creative problem solving among their students.
- Design rubrics for assessing students’ work on Engineering Design projects.
- Create an Engineering Design project for use in their own classes.
Please join us! There is still time to register, and if you have any questions at all about either of these classes or the Engineering Education program, please reach out! I would be happy to chat with you about it.