A Window on the World
Members of engineering societies, scientists, technologists, university faculty, and community members can, working collaboratively, expose teachers and their students to real-world applications of SMET (Science, Math, Engineering, and Technology) problems and their solutions.
Teachers and engineers together can produce, validate, and refine quality curriculum and instructional activities that feature technology contexts where math and scientific knowledge can be applied by students and that mirror the interdisciplinary, problem-centered approaches found in industrial and engineering applications of SMT.
Support from Engineers
The partnership between business and education can take place on many levels. One of the most productive is the personal one, where teachers, students and practitioners work together in exploring the practice of technology and questions about the relationships between science, technology and society. ASME member partners can empower teachers with an ability to enhance the teaching of math, science and technology at the middle level. To be most successful, interaction between engineers and teachers must be more than a "one shot deal." And, volunteer engineers must provide a source of continual technology information and experience to teachers. In addition, engineers need to share with teachers some insights into the workings of a corporation, and explain the vantage point of an engineer in problem solving.
 Rationale: Why Workshops Are Needed
Workshops are an excellent way to provide teachers with experiences that can translate into improved classroom activities that add life and understanding to science, math and technology topics. Teachers appreciate the opportunity to participate in off-site events, and also to have feedback from engineers who can provide the perspective of the workforce which will assist teachers who are striving to best prepare students for their careers.
Professional Development
Most teachers are required to continue improving their teaching abilities by participating in professional development programs. Each school and district has different requirements and guidelines for professional development. You should check with a local school administrator about local professional development guidelines and needs, and about how PDP's (Professional Development Points) might be arranged for teachers who attend your workshop.
Teaching at the Middle Level
Many teachers at the middle level are working within districts that are involved in reform initiatives and whose schools are practicing interdisciplinary teaching, which is integral to change.
The greatest impact on students (tomorrow's workforce) can be made by supporting teachers who are serious about making fundamental changes in the way they understand and teach Science, Mathematics and Technology and other related subjects.
 Standards and Curriculum Based Materials/Support
Workshop activities must support the curriculum of the educators who you are inviting. Before you set your workshop agenda, be sure to ask which curriculum areas your local educators would like to work with
. Your workshop activities must be "standards-based." They must meet teacher needs for achieving subject standards fin your area. Several organizations provide information to help with standards and curriculum based materials and support. Click here to learn more about standards and view links to other organizations.
Sensitivity to Cultural Differences
There are countless day-to-day work differences between educators and engineers. Though obvious, this point is often ignored in linking teachers and business people, leading to real difficulties in communication. On one level, both engineers and teachers have their own workplace vocabularies, and both need to be understood in order to communicate effectively. On a more practical level, finding the time and method to connect can be difficult. For example, educators are more easily reached via phone just prior to, or at the end of the school day. Engineers may be reached throughout the day, but may prefer e-mail, which may be difficult for many educators to access or respond to quickly. Be sure to find out early how best to work with teachers.
Scheduling Challenges
Teachers do not have the scheduling flexibility that other businesses offer for professional development. It is usually difficult to leave the school for a day for a workshop. Workshops held on Saturdays usually solve this problem. Find out from the teachers you are working with whether a Saturday workshop would be preferable.
Middle School Standards
All classroom activities need to help students meet state established curriculum goals. While every state has slightly different standards, there is broad consensus on what students need to know in math, science, and technology at the middle level. The National Research Councils (NSES) provide a good summary. Other sources can give you more specific information for your state. Most important, be sure to assess your teachers needs before setting your workshop content.
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