Goal and Approach

The ultimate goal of NCETE is to infuse engineering content and design, problem solving, and analytical skills into technology education and to increase the quality, quantity, and diversity of engineering and technology educators. NCETE will increase the number and diversity of students who select engineering, science, mathematics and technology careers. This will be accomplished by teaming engineering faculty and technology educators in a synergistic approach that involves:

• Preparing graduate students who will become educational leaders engaged in teacher preparation and professional development projects, and who possess the knowledge and skill to integrate engineering into technology education.
  
• Conducting research regarding how students learn technological concepts, how students learn creative problem solving, how best to prepare technology and engineering teachers, and strategies for assessment and evaluation.
  
• Conducting professional development for 9th -12th grade teacher partners that is based on testing, adaptation, and adoption of instructional techniques that enhance science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

NCETE addresses an important niche in the overall portfolio for the Centers for Learning and Teaching (CLT) program, by providing a powerful combination of research, graduate training and professional development, and making significant advances in all three areas. Although, this powerful combination of research, graduate education, and professional development could be applied to many levels, NCETE is focusing on grades 9 -12.

Impact

NCETE will:

Increase the number of doctoral-level professionals and improve the national capability to conduct research in emerging engineering and technology areas.

Renew the cadre of national leaders in engineering and technology by supporting 20 PhD and 50 MS students.

Conduct research with the help of NCETE's doctoral-level partners, that improves the understanding of teaching and learning engineering and technology subjects.

Prepare over 250 new technology education teachers.

Conduct teacher professional development workshops in over 10 school districts across the country, providing 120 hours of in-service education to over 150 teachers.

Revitalize engineering and technology education and prepare a diverse instructional workforce.

Infuse the 9-12th technology education curriculum with engineering content.