Western Michigan University College of Engineering and College of Education collaborative effort to enhance student learning

This paper describes an ongoing project funded by the National Science Foundation Bridges for Engineering Education program at Western Michigan University (WMU). Six faculty members from the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences (CEAS) and three faculty members from the College of Education (COE) are jointly developing an "Introduction to Engineering" course for elementary education students and first-year engineering students whose field of study is undecided. The "Introduction to Engineering" course: (1) Models the practice, behavior, and attitude of an engineer, and (2) Builds the skills necessary to perform the work of an engineer (problem solving, communication, teamwork, and engineering design). The outcomes of the course for the pre-service teacher training education students are that they are capable of describing the work of engineers and technologists to K-12 students, and can use stimulating examples of real-world engineering and technology in teaching the mathematics and science topics that are required of them. For the first-year engineering students, the outcomes include being motivated to continue in an engineering curriculum, and to provide opportunities to practice fundamental skills necessary to be successful in engineering studies.