Training Middle and High School Teachers in Introducing Science and Engineering to Students

Students enrolled in elementary and secondary schools, who want to pursue a career in science and engineering need a realistic introduction to these topics through hands on and meaningful experiments not normally available in schools. Author has developed a workshop on Energy and Machines introducing teachers to these topics through simple mechanical models and computer based animated programs. This was accomplished through the Pre-Engineering Instructional and Outreach Program (PrE-IOP) at NJIT to enlarge the future pool of qualified high-tech workers in New Jersey, including those who have been historically underrepresented (such as minorities and women). We presented a two-week workshop which uses hands on experience to illustrate scientific laws related to mass, motion, work, power and energy. The concepts of machines and energy are presented for the training of grade 6-12 teachers. Principles such as Newton's Laws of Motion are explained through practical examples. The concepts of simple machines and mechanisms to solve practical real-life design problems are presented through geometrical constructions and model building. They learn how simple machines work through physical models. These include inclined plane, lever, wedge, screw, pulley, wheel and axle etc . Examples are given on how combination of simple machines produce complex machines such as a bicycle, pendulum clock and auto transmission.