RESEARCH?
What exactly do middle school students do in a "research" class? Well, in DoDDS, the answer to that question is quite open-ended. When I first thought about teaching a research class, I wasn't entirely sure how I would choose to do it, what expectations I would have for the students, nor what benefit they could gain from it. However, in recent years, America has been confronted with a concern about the performance of its student citizens in the areas of both science and math. As a result of that concern, a new educational movement has begun called STEM - for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. Out of those four areas identified as a focus for improving the interest, participation, and performance of students in science and math, engineering is the area that is often overlooked. So, I did a little research of my own regarding the practicality of teaching an introduction to engineering to middle school students. What I discovered is that there are many school districts throughout the United States that would like to teach engineering to their students but in one way or another lack the resources to effectively integrate such a course in their curriculum. For students at Bitburg Middle School, however, that is not the case.
This year, I am developing my research class as an introduction to engineering. I firmly believe that this is an opportunity for our students that is provided to very few students nationwide and is yet another example of how Bitburg Middle School continues to remain at the cusp of educational growth - placing their students ahead of their stateside peers.
This year, I am developing my research class as an introduction to engineering. I firmly believe that this is an opportunity for our students that is provided to very few students nationwide and is yet another example of how Bitburg Middle School continues to remain at the cusp of educational growth - placing their students ahead of their stateside peers.
Engineering Standards
Engineering Design
· Describe the purpose of design.
· Describe how criteria and constraints affect a successful solution to an engineering problem.
· Illustrate the engineering/technological design process.
· Recognize that various design solutions can be compared and modified.
Links Between Engineering, Technology, Science and Society
· Describe the relationships between science, engineering, and technology.
· Identify short- and long-term consequences of science, engineering, and technology to the ways in which people live.
· Identify short- and long-term consequences of science, engineering, and technology to the natural environment.
· Describe the purpose of design.
· Describe how criteria and constraints affect a successful solution to an engineering problem.
· Illustrate the engineering/technological design process.
· Recognize that various design solutions can be compared and modified.
Links Between Engineering, Technology, Science and Society
· Describe the relationships between science, engineering, and technology.
· Identify short- and long-term consequences of science, engineering, and technology to the ways in which people live.
· Identify short- and long-term consequences of science, engineering, and technology to the natural environment.