Integration Of Engineering Principles In High School Algebra Courses

In 2003 the state of Maryland implemented an education initiative which requires all Maryland students to enroll in algebra classes and pass a high school assessment in algebra/data analysis in order to graduate. Our Introducing Engineering Through Mathematics project, funded by the National Science Foundation (EEC 212101), introduces entry level algebra students to simple yet valuable engineering problems and applications which can be solved using algebra. The development of the curriculum is a collaboration among UMBC faculty and students, local middle-school and high-school teachers, UMBC’s Center for Women and Information Technology and the Maryland State Department of Education. Many students fail to recognize the importance of algebra in their lives when only exposed to simple applications of algebra (two trains traveling in opposite directions, the eastbound train travels at 80 mph and the westbound travels at 60 mph; determine when the trains will be 490 miles apart). They are often unaware that these same simple algebra skills can be used to solve very real and important engineering problems (e.g. determine the speed at which an aircraft must fly in order to stay aloft). Through increased awareness and relevance an early interest in pursuing engineering as a career may be achieved. The curricula developed in this project targets simple engineering problems in fluid mechanics, electricity, and structures that can be solved using algebra. The curricula are provided on CD’s with videos of hands-on activities and explanations. A week-long training workshop will be conducted summer 2004 for in-service mathematics teachers and undergraduate teaching fellows. The undergraduate teaching fellows 1 will provide hands-on instructional classroom support for the middle-school and high-school teachers, helping them to integrate the CD curricula into their courses.