Call for Papers

Historically in U.S. education, the “E” in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) has been virtually silent. National standards exist for K-12 science, math, and technology, but not for engineering. The engineering community is engaged in a debate over whether national engineering standards should be developed or if other means of leveraging science, math, and technology standards would be a more effective way to support student learning in engineering. Another question being considered is whether engineering education is most beneficial for select students, or whether all students can benefit from exposure to engineering education.

The outcome of this discussion could determine whether engineering education serves exclusively as a pipeline for students interested in engineering careers or whether an introduction to the principles of engineering boosts student performance in other subjects or creates a more technologically literate population. Aside from these differing ideas about formal engineering education, there are a growing number of supporters of informal educational outreach as an important form of engineering education with proven methods, practices, and assessments. Engineering education advocates must navigate a wide range of ideas about the most effective means of improving the STEM education delivery system with regard to engineering.