With the Next Generation Science Standards now reshaping curricula in 18 states and the District of Columbia, hands-on engineering and design has begun to play a more prominent role in K-12 science instruction.

But what’s the best way to teach and inspire kids to think like engineers? How does engineering differ from inquiry-based science? Are there tech tools or best practices that can help classroom teachers get up to speed in this exciting – but unfamiliar – discipline?

The K-12 Engineering Education Podcast is for you.

Run out of a makeshift studio in Austin, Texas, the recently launched talk show is aimed at “all the educators, engineers, entrepreneurs, and parents out there who are interested in getting kids into engineering at younger ages.” The three hosts bring a variety of experiences to the quest: One is a biomedical engineer with industry experience, another is a science teacher, and the third as a mechanical engineering background. All have years of evaluating engineering curricula. Their goal: find better ways to educate and inspire kids in engineering thinking.

The podcasts will explore a wide variety of topics. The initial five offerings range from teaching high school engineering better to attending conferences Among them: Overcoming institutional barriers to engineering in K-12; cool ways to teach engineering; equity in access to engineering; industry needs for engineers; strategies for training teachers; “edtech” solutions for K-12 classrooms; curriculum and pedagogy reviews; and research on how kids learn engineering knowledge and skills.

Stay tuned!

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Tags: edtech, Engineering, equity, K-12 Engineering Education Podcast, Resources for Teachers, STEM education, teaching, Web Resources