Engineering and Technology (Texas Science)

Driven by the Standards for Technological Literacy, this National Science Foundation-sponsored book is written by national leaders in engineering and technology education and addresses the most contemporary technological content using engaging, pedagogically sound "informed design" activities. This unique approach encourages students to develop a thorough understanding of engineering and technology before they ever attempt to develop detailed design solutions. The activities present students with a design problem, and prompt students to begin the solution-finding process with research, inquiry, and analysis. Only after this important step can students begin to discuss specifications and constraints, propose alternatives, and select an optimal design. This process fosters a strong student-teacher discourse and cultivates language proficiency, both with the end result of enhancing student's overall knowledge. Testing, evaluation, and modifications are addressed next, followed by a communication of achievements in a class presentation and final design report. Woven throughout the text are passages that will acquaint students with the requirements, responsibilities, necessary personal attributes and attitudes, and educational pathways that will lead to success in the various technological areas.

Michael Hacker - Hacker is co-director of the Center for Technological Literacy at Hofstra University. He has previously held a variety of leadership positions in the teaching profession, including research professor at SUNY, Stony Brook, and department chairman in the Syosset school district. From 1984-1997 Hacker was the New York State Supervisor for Technology Education. He is exceptionally well connected and highly regarded in technology education circles, especially ITEA.

David Burghardt - Burghardt holds PhD and MS degrees in mechanical engineering from the University of Connecticut and a BS from the US Merchant Marine Academy. He is Chair of Engineering at Hofstra, former Chair of Computer Science, and the author of ten texts in thermodynamics, diesel engines and engineering fundamentals. Burghardt founded the Hofstra Center for Technological Literacy to enhance technological literacy of K-12 students on Long Island. The Center quickly extended its reach to include New York State in its entirety. With support and collaboration of local industry and the Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL), the Center has hosted teacher workshops, engineering design competitions, and large-scale funded projects. Under Burghardt's leadership, the Center has also won multiple National Science Foundation grants.

Linnea Fletcher is Department Chair of Biotechnology at Austin Community. She is a Regional Director for the NSF funded ATE center grant, Bio-link.

Anthony Gordon is the Director for Information Technology for Saginaw Public Schools, and consults widely on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematic (STEM) in education implementation. He has edited three books on math, science and technology integration.

William Peruzzi is curriculum coordinator for a New York State Energy Research and Development Authority grant that has placed photovoltaic weather systems and Data Acquisition Systems in 50 New York State Schools.