Award Abstract # 0454526
Engineering is Elementary: Engineering and Technology Lessons for Children

NSF Org: DRL
Division of Research on Learning in Formal and Informal Settings (DRL)
Recipient: MUSEUM OF SCIENCE
Initial Amendment Date: February 18, 2005
Latest Amendment Date: September 9, 2010
Award Number: 0454526
Award Instrument: Continuing Grant
Program Manager: Gerhard L. Salinger
DRL
 Division of Research on Learning in Formal and Informal Settings (DRL)
EDU
 Directorate for STEM Education
Start Date: June 1, 2005
End Date: May 31, 2011 (Estimated)
Total Intended Award Amount: $2,725,620.00
Total Awarded Amount to Date: $2,725,620.00
Funds Obligated to Date: FY 2005 = $1,356,035.00
FY 2007 = $760,860.00

FY 2008 = $608,725.00
History of Investigator:
  • Christine Cunningham (Principal Investigator)
    ccunningham@mos.org
  • Ioannis Miaoulis (Co-Principal Investigator)
  • Nancy Yocom de Romero (Co-Principal Investigator)
  • Cary Sneider (Former Co-Principal Investigator)
  • Kate Hester (Former Co-Principal Investigator)
Recipient Sponsored Research Office: Museum of Science
1 SCIENCE PARK
BOSTON
MA  US  02114-1099
(617)589-0118
Sponsor Congressional District: 08
Primary Place of Performance: Museum of Science
1 SCIENCE PARK
BOSTON
MA  US  02114-1099
Primary Place of Performance
Congressional District:
08
Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): KKW4W2TPS5N8
Parent UEI: KKW4W2TPS5N8
NSF Program(s): INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS DEVELP
Primary Program Source: app-0405 
app-0407 

04000809DB NSF Education & Human Resource
Program Reference Code(s): 9177, SMET
Program Element Code(s): 735500
Award Agency Code: 4900
Fund Agency Code: 4900
Assistance Listing Number(s): 47.076

ABSTRACT

The "Engineering is Elementary: Engineering and Technology Lessons for Children" project is developing lessons to engage students in grades 1-5 in engineering activities integrated with their science lessons. The project addresses the need to develop a broad understanding of what engineers do and the uses and implications of the technologies they create. At the heart of engineering is an understanding of the engineering design process -- a flexible method of solving problems that is parallel to the inquiry process in science.

The goals of the project are to increase the level of technological literacy of the students and to increase the understanding of technology and engineering of elementary teachers in order to enable them to teach these subjects to their students. The project is developing 16 units, each of which includes an illustrated storybook, teacher background materials, teachers guide, assessment tools, student duplication masters, quick cards, references and resources. The instructional effort is strengthened by the project website, posters, teacher professional development materials and overviews for administrators and other stakeholders. By creating and testing lessons that are closely integrated with elementary science topics and linked to popular and effective science programs, the project strengthens the science program while introducing key engineering concepts and fostering positive attitudes toward engineering in ways that include girls and boys from a wide variety of ethnic and cultural backgrounds. The project seeks to expand children's images of engineering and to broaden their interests and expectations for the future.

PUBLICATIONS PRODUCED AS A RESULT OF THIS RESEARCH

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Cunningham, C. M. "Engineering as standard in early school education." Estrategies , 2009 , p.36-37
Cunningham, C. M. "Engineering is elementary" The Bridge , v.30 (3) , 2009 , p.11-17
Cunningham, C. M. "What's missing K-12 education?" SEEN magazine , v.Septemb , 2009

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