TLC 2000 will be a one-day workshop to bring together K-12 teachers and engineers to discuss the issues of improving technology (particularly pre-engineering) education in the K-12 curriculum in North Carolina. An emphasis will be made on increasing resources for educators - identifying existing resources as well as developing new ones - as well as identifying and forming networks of technology volunteers to provide hands-on and lecture experiences for students state-wide.

As we prepare to enter the 21^st century, a time where technology will affect an ever-increasing part of our lives, enrollment in technology schools is actually decreasing. Even at schools that are still showing an increase, such as NC State University, admissions staff are having to increase out-of-state enrollments. In order to maintain our position as a technology growth state, North Carolina must work to increase children's interest in science and engineering statewide. There are limits to the amount that the state and local government will be able to make this change; a state filled with high-technology professionals must become a state filled with high-technology school volunteers.

The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the world's largest professional / technical organization, has been dedicated to the improvement and development of pre-college education since 1984. Worldwide resources, such as the annual Faraday Lecture and Engineers Week activities, have provided some resources for K-12 educators. More must be done to aid teachers in the introduction of children to scientific and engineering principles at all grade levels to identify and foster the growth of tomorrow's technology leaders. This need was addressed on a world-wide basis with a landmark symposium held in October 1998 in Baltimore. At this meeting, "Technological Literacy Counts", the pre-college committee of the IEEE Educational Activities Board was formed. This committee is charged with carrying out the stated goals of the 1998 symposium:

• There is a need for professional development for both groups to maximize their collaborative efforts. An increase in public awareness of the problem in necessary. Policy changes are necessary to enlist support of government and public leaders.
• Support for educational reform/standards development should be promoted.
• Measurable outcomes should be established and assessed.

There are also four high-priority action plan items planned by the committee to be initiated as soon as possible:

• A TLC Network will be formed – the entire group from the workshop will remain connected and will share ideas and plans, as well as spread the word to more educators and engineers. A training program for engineers will be developed - to teach them more about curriculum development, educational standards, teaching methodology and how they can serve the educational community.
• Committees were formed to link sub-groups for further activity planning.
• A meeting of the deans of schools of engineering and schools of education is planned to open up channels of communication so that teacher training can better prepare educators to teach and promote technology.
• Collaborations between engineering societies will begin. Spokespeople from the TLC Network will be provided with a speaker’s kit to spread the word about TLC. Engineers from TLC will present at national and state education conferences on the need for technological literacy and how to attain it.

As an outgrowth of these goals, and as an effort by the North Carolina Council of the IEEE to increase the quality of technical education in NC K-12 schools, a workshop is planned for early 2000 to address many of these issues. Titled "Technological Literacy Counts 2000", this statewide workshop of educators and engineers will carry the work of the previous symposium to the state level and will attempt to address these issues for NC schools.

Raise awareness of the needs for technology volunteers and other resources for teaching and encouraging technology careers for NC K-12 students.

Establish and / or fortify networks of technology volunteers for science teachers statewide.

Identify existing resources for materials to aid in pre-college engineering education.

Propose and define the development of new resources for pre-college engineering education.

Network and educate volunteers and educators of resources and programs that have been successful in pre-college engineering education.

The structure of TLC 2000 will be based on presentations and panel discussions with possible workshops of both engineers and educators to discuss current resources and brainstorm potential new resources for our schools.

Key figure in NC and technical education. Candidates: Gov. Hunt, Chancellor Fox

"Technology Teachers - the Next Generation." Deans of engineering and education from NC colleges discuss how we can better equip the next generation of teachers to teach and promote technology. Possible moderators: Jane Patterson, Marye Anne Fox, Charlie Gaddy.

"What Works". A panel of teachers who have made successful use of internal and external resources to teach and encourage technology education. Moderator from above list, or from school of science and math.

Future Engineers and Scientists of America - national group of science and engineering clubs for 4-12

Tech Corps - organization of technology volunteers to act as resources for engineers

IEEE Pre-college Committee for Education - resources for electrical and electronics engineering

American Society of Civil Engineers - resources and national competition for civil engineering

National Society of Professional Engineers - Mathcounts competition and other resources.

National Engineers Week - annual emphasis on engineering presentations, demonstrations, and exhibits in February each year.

Other programs that may be identified

Brainstorming and identification of demonstrations: Rockets to radios

Brainstorming and identification of visits: Factories, Labs and Job Sites

Brainstorming and identification of hands-on projects: Not your father's science fair

Brainstorming and identification of media: Posters to Satellites

Closing plenary session: Sum it up and move forward

One-day symposium, in venue that supports auditorium for minimum of 100 people, breakouts (4), and luncheon.

Welcome reception the previous evening (late for those who drive in from across state) - perhaps 8-10. Important to "break ice" and mix engineers and other volunteers with the educators.

Continental breakfast, luncheon included. Over by 4PM so all attendees can drive home same day.

Close to economical hotel(s) - negotiate rates (be reasonable for teachers and volunteers who will pay own way).

Target attendance 100, maximum 150? - half engineers, half teachers.

Cost for entire conference, meals, reception approximately $50 per person or less. Perhaps offer grants to pay some or all for extreme cases.

TLC 2000 is set for May 6, 2000, a Saturday.

TLC 2000 is sponsored and presented by the North Carolina Council and Eastern NC Section of the IEEE. Corporate sponsorship will be solicited but is not a precondition for the conference to be held. The total cost per attendee will be budgeted to be approximately $50-100, depending on the venue and meal costs.

Sponsors will include SAS Institute, Cadence, and others.  The event is being hosted by SAS at their state-of-the-art private school, Cary Academy.

/Booths (or tabletop exhibits) will be provided for other non-profit groups that support the goals of TLC '99 (such as FESA and TechCorps). Booths may be sold to for-profit companies that offer resources, services, or materials that support the goals of the conference.

Charles J. Lord, PE
108 Huntington Circle
Cary, NC 27513

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