University of South Carolina Task Quickly draw a picture of an engineer working. Include a few sentences that describe what the engineer is doing. When the time limit is reached, put your drawing out of sight.

University of South Carolina New Generation of Science Standards Understanding the Emphasis on Engineering Within Science Instruction or Why Teaching about Engineering Within Science Instruction Is Not Another “Add-on”

University of South Carolina Students Should Learn How scientific knowledge is acquired and how scientific explanations are developed science is utilized, in particular through the engineering design process appreciate the distinctions and relationships between engineering, technology, and applications of science.

University of South Carolina Why Student Perceptions of Engineering Matter Engineering science workforce shortages, especially underrepresented minorities Many adult attitudes towards math and science are formed prior to and during adolescence. Perceptions of math and science related careers influence academic course and career decision-making

University of South Carolina Why Teacher Perceptions of Engineering Matter Correlation between teacher/student understandings How you understand engineering design will matter How well you understand your students’ conceptions of engineering will also matter

University of South Carolina What are middle school students’ perceptions of Engineering?

University of South Carolina Engineer as “Auto Mechanic”

University of South Carolina Uses Tools to “Fix” Things

University of South Carolina Especially Things That are Broken

University of South Carolina Or Leaking……..

University of South Carolina Engineer as “Repairan”

University of South Carolina Or a Builder

University of South Carolina Engineer as “Road Worker”

University of South Carolina Train Engineer

University of South Carolina Most Common Verbs Fix Build/Make Drive/Operate Tell Find Solution Screw Hammer Mix Install

University of South Carolina Key Findings Portray the fixing that was done by engineers as physical work Little emphasis on problem diagnosis or the “how to” component of fixing Few references to mental work such as “testing,” “researching,” or “inventing” Few, more accurate portrayals that an engineer is a designer or problem-solver

University of South Carolina So…. How do I help my students better understand what engineers do? How do I show that engineers apply scientific knowledge to solve problems? How can I do this while also teaching about my science standards?

University of South Carolina Task The water shortage crisis is a top international issue. As a citizen of Lackaqua, this issue especially impacts you. Your country has experienced a lengthy drought, water is virtually impossible to find. You also live in an isolated region where no water supply lines or systems are available.

University of South Carolina Important facts about Lackaqua: –Lackaqua is a dry region with little vegetation. –There is one large lake, Lake Brackishma, that contains water contaminated by a local mining operation. The water is not healthy for humans to drink. –Because there is little vegetation, there is also little firewood. Thus, using fire to distill brackish water in not an option available to Lackaquanians.

University of South Carolina Task (contniued) Fortunately, the international community has reached out to you and sent you some equipment you may be able to use to help you obtain water. You will have to use the available equipment, and your scientific knowledge, to design a system that will allow you to collect water.

University of South Carolina Although Lackaqua received many supplies, we only received a limited number of larger pieces of building material. Thus, the international humanitarian aid organization is limiting the number of pieces of building material each group may receive (1).

University of South Carolina Equipment packages we have include: –Building Material 1 Large pieces of plastic donated by FEMA –Building Material 2 Empty 2-liter bottles donated by an international beverage company –Other Supplies Cups Tape Straws Vegetation Brackish water

University of South Carolina Task Create a schematic drawing, that would use only the equipment available, of a system that you think would allow you to obtain water. The design should include both –a drawing and –narrative explaining how the model will work.

University of South Carolina Model Revision After designing your model, gather the materials needed and construct a model of your design. Prepare to share the model with other engineers. Once you have seen the models designed by other groups, return to your small groups and discuss any alterations you want to make to your own model.

University of South Carolina In small groups, discuss: –the science concepts you potentially could address within this activity sequence –the types of thinking required to complete the task –processes students would need to use in order to successfully complete this task

University of South Carolina Connections to document (text) Design and redesign Similarities and differences between science and engineering practices Math and Science Across Cultures Return to positive results from GK12