FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SDSU TO HELP IMPROVE TEACHING ENGINEERING IN HIGH SCHOOLS
'Project Lead The Way' Aims to Head Off Future Shortage of Engineers

SAN DIEGO, Monday, June 16, 2003 — San Diego State University is leading the charge to bring more students into the engineering fold and to help meet future engineering demand through Project Lead The Way (PLTW). SDSU is the first and only West Coast university in the PLTW program.

PLTW is a national training program that educates teachers in the art of teaching engineering to middle or high school students. It aims to gauge student interest in the profession to help them decide if they want to pursue a career in engineering.

“Engineering is the cornerstone to technology, our infrastructure, and our future,” said David T. Hayhurst, Dean for SDSU’s College of Engineering. “It is critical that we pave the way for the future engineers of this country, and at an earlier age. Programs like Project Lead The Way prepare teachers to inspire their students to look more closely at the field.”

The first session, offered from June 16 – June 27, attracted 25 high school and middle school teachers. The majority hail from San Diego County, but several are coming from as far as Oklahoma, Missouri or Michigan to participate in the program.

“This training is a powerful vehicle for teachers to attract more students to the field of engineering before they even enter college,” said Bruce Westermo, Assistant Dean in SDSU’s College of Engineering. “We hope to see this program implemented in every San Diego high school within the next five years.”

Tom White, PLTW Associate Director said, “This year there were a million and a half engineering and engineering technology jobs left unfilled. Half of all the people in the field are baby boomers, and in 10 years they’ll all be retired. Our goal is to increase the supply and diversity of students opting into engineering and engineering technology fields. Through our program, students who will attend SDSU and other schools in the region can garner the knowledge in advance, so they’ll be better prepared for the college courses required in engineering.”

Participants who join the program will be trained to teach the following courses:

1) Introduction to Engineering Design – Taught in 9th or 10th grade, this class is an introduction to what engineering is all about. It includes training in 3-D software for designing and making inventions.

2) Principles in Engineering – Taught in 9th, 10th or 11th grade, students learn about materials and test with metals to calculate fundamental engineering concepts.

3) Gateway to Technology – Taught in 7th grade, this is an introductory class to get students interested in the concepts of engineering. Study areas include design and modeling; magic of electrons; science of technology; and automation and robotics.

SDSU is one of a dozen national affiliates to the PLTW program. Other universities offering the training include: Ferris State University, New Hampshire Technical Institute, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Pennsylvania State University, Purdue University, University of Colorado, University of Houston, University of New Haven, University of New Hampshire, University of South Carolina, University of South Florida, and Weber State University.

PLTW was first developed in the 1980s in upstate New York. Through its course structure, the program introduces high school students, via teachers, to the scope, rigor and discipline of engineering and engineering technology prior to entering college.

San Diego State University is the oldest and largest higher education institution in the San Diego region. Since its founding in 1897, SDSU has grown to offer bachelor's degrees in 79 areas, master's degrees in 64 areas and doctorates in 13. SDSU's more than 33,000 students participate in academic curricula distinguished by direct contact with faculty and an increasing international emphasis that prepares them for a global future. For more information log on to www.sdsu.edu.

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