A Survey of Engineering, Science and Mathematics Education Centers in the United States
Researchers at the University of South Carolina conducted a survey of centers and programs at 270 universities across the country that are engaged in engineering, science and mathematics education. This study was conducted to assess current practices and to assist the University of South Carolina in the development of its Center for Engineering and Computing Education , a collaborative effort between and the College of Engineering and Information Technology and the College of Education.
The results of the survey show that engineering, science and mathematics education centers vary widely in their focus and activities. Current practices suggest that a successful engineering education center should be led by an individual passionate about teaching and learning. It should have a clearly-defined mission that is developed by a group of core faculty and that is guided by frequent input from the constituencies served by the center. It should be aligned with the values of its home (the institution or department) and should work from within that culture. The center should obtain funding from a variety of sources. However direct support from the university is critical.
The center's outreach activities should send college students into K-12 and should bring K-12 teachers onto the university campus. Programs for improving higher education should include workshops for faculty as well as individual interactions.
Collaborations between faculty in education and engineering should be promoted through sponsored programs and research that is mutually beneficial to the collaborators. Organizing seminars and meetings can help these faculty members establish connections. Assessing the center's programs and communicating these to the faculty are important to interesting the faculty in learning about learning or in engaging in educational research.
Finally, the successful center will find a niche, stay focused and treat people well.
The full results of this study appear in the article “A Survey of Engineering, Science and Mathematics Education Centers in the United States” by Jed Lyons and Christine Ebert in Volume 21 of the International Journal of Engineering Education .