Design-Based Concept Learning in Science and Technology Education brings together contributions from researchers that have investigated what conditions need to be fulfilled to make design-based education work.

Science, engineering, and technology permeate nearly every facet of modern life and hold the key to solving many of humanity's most pressing current and future challenges. The United States' position in the global economy is declining, in part because U.S. workers lack fundamental knowledge in these fields. To address the critical issues of U.S. competitiveness and to better prepare the workforce, A Framework for K-12 Science Education proposes a new approach to K-12 science education that will capture students' interest and provide them with the necessary foundational knowledge in the field. A Framework for K-12 Science Education outlines a broad set of expectations for students in science and engineering in grades K-12. These expectations will inform the development of new standards for K-12 science education and, subsequently, revisions to curriculum, instruction, assessment, and professional development for educators. This book identifies three dimensions that convey the core ideas and practices around which science and engineering education in these grades should be built. These three dimensions are: crosscutting concepts that unify the study of science through their common application across science and engineering; scientific and engineering practices; and disciplinary core ideas in the physical sciences, life sciences, and earth and space sciences and for engineering, technology, and the applications of science. The overarching goal is for all high school graduates to have sufficient knowledge of science and engineering to engage in public discussions on science-related issues, be careful consumers of scientific and technical information, and enter the careers of their choice. A Framework for K-12 Science Education is the first step in a process that can inform state-level decisions and achieve a research-grounded basis for improving science instruction and learning across the country. The book will guide standards developers, teachers, curriculum designers, assessment developers, state and district science administrators, and educators who teach science in informal environments.

The Bloomsbury Handbook of Technology Education draws together international perspectives on contemporary praxis in technology education from philosophy to empirical research. Through carefully commissioned chapters, leading authors explore the fundamentals of technology education, curriculum and pedagogy. Chapters discuss technology education as it can be experienced by children and young people, inside and outside of the classroom, across the world, as well as the importance of technology and the history and philosophical origins of technology education. Carefully curated, this is an innovative and exciting volume for students, teachers, teacher educators, researchers, lecturers and professors in technology education.

This book brings together significant international research in technology education through a focus on contemporary Ph.D. theses. It highlights the conceptual underpinnings and methodology of each research project and elaborates on how the findings are relevant for practitioners. This book addresses the common disjunction between research conducted and an awareness of that research by practitioners. It examines the extent to which the research aligns with different justifications for teaching technology in schools in economic, utilitarian, democratic, cultural, and other such contexts.

This book brings together authors from around the world to discuss the Standards for Technological and Engineering Literacy: The Role of Technology and Engineering in STEM Education (STEL) released in July 2020 by the International Technology and Engineering Educators Association (ITEEA). The various chapters examine and elaborate on how educators must understand the structure of the standards used and their alignment with educational programs at specific levels and contexts, both in the context of the USA, and internationally. It also showcases case studies analyzing the use of standards in their various contexts from a number of countries which have either adapted STEL, or which have national Standards in Technology Education. The STEL represents a major update to the content standards that has guided the field of technology education (and, later, technology and engineering education) in the USA since 2000. In contrast to previous standards, STEL presents a substantial reduction in the number of standards and associated benchmarks, and the benchmarks have been operationalized to identify the key knowledge, skills, and dispositions associated with each standard. It also emphasizes a focus on core standards that should allow for deeper levels of understanding and engagement on the part of students, who in comprehensive educational programs will continue to revisit these core standards in increasingly sophisticated ways as they progress from Pre-K through Grade 12.

This book addresses the practicalities of establishing Design & Technology as a worthwhile subject in the secondary school. Written by two leading experts in the field, it explores the way in which Design & Technology may be taught so that it makes a unique contribution to the learning of young people. It provides Design & Technology departments with practical information and guidance around key issues such as planning and assessing the subject, justifications for teaching it as well as ways in which schools can manage and sustain teaching Design & Technology long term. In dealing with the breadth and depth of Design & Technology this book: Provides rationales for Design & Technology which go far beyond the usual limited economic utility argument. Considers the underpinning philosophies of technology and design and the essential place of values, clarifying the substantive and disciplinary knowledge. Discusses five important issues: decolonising the subject, gender, disruption, global warming, pollution and waste. Describes how a Design & Technology curriculum may be planned, taking into account content, resources and learning activities to achieve breadth, balance, and progression. Defines how the subject may be taught through a range of complimentary methods. Considers a wide range of assessment practices that meet the varied learning embedded within the subject. Discusses how support for the subject can be achieved by collaboration with a wide range of interested parties. This book is a valuable resource for heads of departments, trainee and practicing teachers, those engaged in further professional development and all who want to make the learning of Design & Technology an interesting, motivating, and exciting experience for young people.

Design is a central activity within Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education. Within enacted practice, design can feature within intended learning outcomes, for example in learning to design, and it can feature within pedagogical methodologies, for example by learning through design. Often holding differing disciplinary interpretations such as design as cyclical problem solving, iterative design, conceptual design, or design with or without make, understanding the educational merits of the ill-defined and open nature of authentic designerly activity is paramount. This Research Topic sets out to gain a more nuanced understanding of the value and role(s) of design within STEM educational contexts. This Research Topic focuses on design within STEM educational contexts, particularly in terms of teaching, learning, and assessment. The aim is to contribute to the evidential basis which can be used to guide the incorporation of design into educational practice. The topic has two central research objectives. The first is to generate evidence regarding what design is in STEM education. For example, is the ability to design a singular or manifold construct? Is the capacity to design, or are factors of this ability, both learnable and teachable? How transferable is designerly knowledge between contexts? How do different disciplinary contexts influence the interpretation of design? The second is to further our understanding of how best to incorporate design within STEM education contexts. For example, how much emphasis should be placed on learning to or through design in school? How should design be assessed within formal education? Where and when is design best incorporated into education? In posing these questions, the goal of this research topic is to provide scholarly discourse which supports critical reflection and the challenging of assumptions regarding design in education.

This book discusses the teaching and learning about technological systems in technology education and adjacent curriculum areas. It describes, analyzes and synthesizes contemporary research on technological systems in technology education. By delving into the philosophy, sociology and history of technology, technology education and the learning and teaching of technological systems, it summarizes prior research and analyzes new research. This book thereby serves as a resource and reference work for professionals in this area of research and education.

Technologies for Children is a comprehensive guide to teaching design and digital technologies to children from birth to 12 years. Aligned with the Early Years Learning Framework and the Australian Curriculum: Technologies, this book provides practical ideas for teaching infants, toddlers, pre-schoolers and primary-aged children. The third edition includes expanded content on teaching digital technologies, with a new chapter on computational thinking. Key topics covered include food and fibre production, engineering principles and systems, and computational thinking. The content goes beyond discussing the curriculum to consider technology pedagogies, planning, assessment and evaluation. Case studies drawn from Australian primary classrooms and early childhood centres demonstrate the transition from theory to practice. Each chapter is supported by pedagogical reflections, research activities and spotlights, as well as extensive online student resources. Written by Marilyn Fleer, this book presents innovative, engaging and student-centred approaches to integrating technologies in the classroom.