Science and Engineering in the Lives of Students

Video case studies highlighting the role of science in construction problems are the core of this professional development program designed into a website to be released in June 2013. Faculty from Oregon State University, Chemeketa and Rogue Community Colleges have adapted problems familiar to the construction industry generated in previous Advanced Technological Education projects for use in science teaching. The instructional materials are organized into a complete professional development program for middle and high school science teachers and community college science and technology faculty. The project is creating a web-based, professional development resource that (a) demonstrates teaching standards-based science through construction problems, (b) demonstrates ways to students how science is valuable for experiences in everyday life, and (c) presents tools and information for helping students understand the relationship between content knowledge and career pathways ranging from the apprentice trades to professional engineer. The design capitalizes on a personal connection between people and their built environments through a focus on construction concepts that link science to people and their homes and communities. The web format links cases in professional construction environments with model classroom teaching. The Science Media Group at the Harvard-Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory handled media production. On the site, visitors will find a host of activities, information, and videos in electricity, materials and mechanics, thermodynamics, and much more.