Engineering Equals Better Science Education

For 17 years I've been a science educator and yet I am still amazed by how poorly science is done in many schools. Of special note, is the real lack of Engineering in K-12 education, as reported recently by the National Academy of Engineering and the National Research Council. According to their research, engineering is the "neglected E of STEM [Science, Technology, Engineering, Math]. The report also points out the limited amount of teacher education in engineering.

Engineering education could not only provide learners with meaningful content but also an understanding of the design and problem-solving processes involved in the field. The report calls for federal agencies and foundations to identify exemplary K-12 engineering programs...but where can they be found? Thankfully many wonderful informal science education settings and programs are around to complement - or rather supplement - what children aren't getting in schools, some of which are focused on various aspects of engineering. And then there is the Salvadori Center. Salvadori has worked for 25 years to bring structural and civil engineering to students - especially students in under-resourced schools and communities. Today, we continue to find ways to ensure that all of our programs provide children the opportunity to explore engineering, the design process, and collaborative problem solving. By using a skyscraper as a learning springboard, kids and teachers learn Science through an exploration of forces, Technology by examining tools of construction, Math by calculating load and doing measurement, and Engineering by confronting a building challenge and applying their STEM knowledge to design, build and test a model. We also give our constituents the bonus letter A (thus, STEAM) by adding Architecture into the mix and allowing them to examine aesthetics and history in their local built world.

Our founder, world-renowned engineer Dr. Mario Salvadori knew that engineering was important for children and teachers. He saw the power this area of study held not just for content but also for process. The Salvadori Center hopes to be a model for engineering education and invites you to collaborate with us in this important area.