Is the U.S.
losing its technological superiority in the world? China
currently graduates 4 times as many engineers as the
U.S. and South Korea graduates as many engineers as the
U.S. even though its population is one sixth the size of
the U.S. The number of engineering degrees awarded in
the U.S. is down 20% from the peak in 1985. Public
perception of engineering technology is largely
misrepresented resulting in fewer children pursuing
engineering in college. Kids don't talk about scientists
and engineers as role models. They talk about athletes
and musicians. Many experts say America is entering a
crisis in math and science. Experts are retiring and
fewer math and science grads from top colleges are
available to take their place. According to the National
Science Foundation, the need for science and engineering
graduates will grow 26% or 1.25 million between now and
2012. The number of jobs requiring technical training is
growing 5 times the rate of other occupations. And U. S.
schools are nowhere near meeting the demand.
IEEE has
designed a Teacher In-Service Program (TISP) featuring IEEE
Section volunteers developing and presenting
technologically oriented subject matter to local
pre-university educators in an in-service or
professional development setting. TISP allows IEEE
volunteers to share their technical expertise and to
demonstrate the application of engineering concepts to
support the teaching and learning of science,
mathematics and technology disciplines. The focus on
local schools and school districts is a key feature of
this program as engineers and educators can develop long
lasting collaborations.
The Teacher
In-Service Program includes lesson plans for use by
engineers and teachers. Each lesson plan is tied to
education standards and includes teacher summaries,
student worksheets, and activities. Teachers are invited
to attend a 2 or 3 hour workshop where they complete 1
or 2 of the lesson plans, assisted by volunteer IEEE
members.
The IEEE East
Tennessee Section endorses this program and is offering
TISP workshops to the Knox County Schools Professional
Development Center to provide local science teachers
with lesson plans that might encourage more young people
to pursue a career in engineering. Please consider
sharing your experience with teachers who may influence
children to pursue our worthy career. To volunteer your
time, email Terry Kurtz at ieee.tk@gmail.com.
To following
websites offer career guidelines and lesson plans which
can be used by science teachers in the classroom.
