Required Readings

• Brown, R., Brown, J., Reardon, K.C., & Merrill, C. (2011) Understanding STEM: Current Perceptions. The Technology and Engineering Teacher. 70 (6), 5-9.
  
  
• Brown, J. (2012). Current status of STEM education research. Journal of STEM Education: Innovations and Research, 13 (5), 7-11.
• Engineering in K-12 Education: Understanding the Status and Improving the Prospects (Free Executive Summary) http://www.nap.edu/catalog/12635.html
  
  
• Garmire, E. (2002). Engineering Design Method. The Technology Teacher, 62, 22-28.
  
  
• Jonassen, D. H. (2000). Toward a design theory of problem solving. Educational Technology Research & Development, 48(4), 63-85.
  
  
• Kirkley, J. (2003) Principles for teaching problem solving. Plato Learning White Paper - Free to publicly distribute - noted on article.
  
  

Course Materials

• Many of the NASA's BEST activities have been adapted from others, but are now aligned with the Engineering Design Process. Each activity features objectives, a list of materials, educator information, procedures, and student worksheets.
  
  
  • Grades K-2 Guide
    http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/630755main_NASAsBESTActivityGuideK-2.pdf
  • Grades 3-5 Activity Guide
    http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/630753main_NASAsBESTActivityGuide3-5.pdf
  • Grades 6-8 Activity Guide
    http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/630754main_NASAsBESTActivityGuide6-8.pdf
  
  
• NASA Engineering Design Process
  http://mynasadata.larc.nasa.gov/engineering-design/
  
  
• PBS/NASA Design Squad Online Workshop for Educators
  http://pbskids.org/designsquad/parentseducators/workshop/welcome.html
  
  
• PBS/NASA Design Squad "On the Moon" Activity Guides
  http://pbskids.org/designsquad/parentseducators/guides/activity_guide_moon.html
  
  
• NASA Engineering Design Process Videos
  Brief videos for teachers and students about each step of the NASA engineering design process.
  http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/best/edp.html#.VVDsyflViko
  
  
• GOTCHA Television Assembly Notebook
  Engineering Notebook from an Apollo Mission
  http://history.nasa.gov/alsj/GCTA-EngrNtbk.html
  http://history.nasa.gov/alsj/KSC-GCTA-Notebook.pdf
  
  
• Boston Museum of Science Engineering Notebook
  Sample engineering notebook from the Boston Museum of Science.
  http://www.mos.org/etf/Notebook_Sample.pdf
  
  
• Incorporating Engineering Design
  A summary of engineering design and incorporating engineering design into classrooms.
  http://ncete.org/flash/pdfs/NCETECaucusReport.pdf
  
  

Problem Solving Challenges

(Note: You do not have to login to any of these sites to solve the problems.)

• The Three Jugs Problem
  http://www.cut-the-knot.org/ctk/Water.shtml
  
  
• Tower of Hanoi
  https://www.mathsisfun.com/games/towerofhanoi.html
  
  
• Entrapment
  http://www.theproblemsite.com/games/entrapment.asp
  
  
• Trio Match
  http://www.theproblemsite.com/games/trio_match.asp
  
  
• Cheater Hangman
  http://theproblemsite.com/games/cheater_hangman.asp
  
  
• Wolf, Sheep, & Cabbage
  http://www.plastelina.net/game1.html
  
  
• http://www.novelgames.com/flashgames/game.php?id=53&l=e
  
  

NASA Engineering Curriculum Materials

• NASA Engineering Design Challenge - Lunar Growth Plant Chamber
  A NASA developed engineering activity focused on life sciences and technology.
  https://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/topnav/materials/listbytype/Lunar_Plant_Growth_Chamber.html#.VVDrVflViko
  
  
• NASA Engineering Design Challenge - Thermal Protection Systems
  A NASA developed engineering activity focused on heat and conduction.
  https://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/topnav/materials/listbytype/EDC_TPS.html#.VVDr-flViko
  
  
• NASA Engineering Design Challenge - Space Craft Structures
  A NASA developed engineering activity focused on Newton's laws.
  http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/topnav/materials/listbytype/EDC_Spacecraft_Structures.html#.VVDruvlViko
  
  
• NASA Engineering Design Challenge - Electrodynamic Propulsion
  A NASA developed engineering activity focused on electromagnetism.
  http://www.nasa.gov/offices/education/programs/national/summer/education_resources/
  engineering_grades7-9/E_electrodynamic-propulsion.html#.VAS4vPldWKI
  
  
• NASA Engineering Design Challenge - Centennial of Flight: Propeller Design Challenge
  A NASA developed engineering activity focused on force and motion.
  http://er.jsc.nasa.gov/seh/PROPELLER.pdf
  
  
• NASA Engineering Design Challenge - Water Filtration Challenge
  A NASA developed engineering activity focused on properties of and changes in matter.
  http://www.nasa.gov/offices/education/programs/national/summer/education_resources/
  engineering_grades7-9/E_water-filtration.html#.VAS5lfldWKI
  
  
• NASA Engineering Design Challenge - Personal Satellite Assistant
  A NASA developed engineering activity focused on force and motion.
  http://psa.arc.nasa.gov/chal.shtml
  
  
• Engineering By Design (EbD) Curriculum
  Extensive engineering curriculum for elementary through high school student developed in partnership between NASA and the International Technology Education Association.
  http://www.iteaconnect.org/EbD/ebd.htm
  
  

Engineering Curriculum Activities

• Engineering is Elementary - Boston Museum of Science
  http://www.eie.org/
  
  
• Designing a Musical Instrument: The Science of Sound - Lego Engineering Curriculum
  http://www.legoengineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/LEcom_Compiled_Packet_Sound_LowRes.pdf
  
  
• Design a People Mover: Simple Machines - Lego Engineering Curriculum
  http://www.legoengineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/LEcom_Compiled_Packet_Machines_LowRes.pdf
  
  
• PBS Design Squad Activities
  Resource page with many different engineering classroom activities.
  http://pbskids.org/designsquad/parentseducators/lesson-plans/electricity_and_circuits.html
  
  
• Design and Discovery Curriculum
  Design and Discovery is a inquiry-based curriculum, which introduces students ages 11-15 to engineering through design.
  http://educate.intel.com/en/DesignDiscovery/Curriculum/
  
  
• Teach Engineering
  Online digital library of standards based curriculum materials and other resources for teachers interested in engineering.
  http://www.teachengineering.org/
  
  

Professional Resources

• Discover Engineering
  Engineering related information for students and teachers.
  http://www.discoverengineering.org/
  
  
• Standards for Technological Literacy
  National standards developed by the International Technology Education Association.
  https://www.iteea.org/File.aspx?id=67767&v=b26b7852
  
  
• National Center for Engineering and Technology Education
  National Science Foundation funded project to support engineering education in public schools.
  http://www.ncete.org/flash/index.php
  
  
• STEM Connections
  Online newsletter and blog for teachers in STEM fields.
  http://www.iteea.org/Publications/STEMconnections/STEMconnections.htm