The University of South Carolina (USC), Center for Engineering and Computing Education, works to improve engineering- and computer science-related education at the precollege, undergraduate and graduate levels with the ultimate goal of developing a technologically literate population and workforce in South Carolina. The Center supports the research, development and implementation of improved teaching methods, promotes hands-on, inquiry-based learning, and facilitates interdisciplinary collaborations. Although many of the workshops and programs are specifically for students in South Carolina, visitors will find information on several programs available to teachers and students across the U.S. The Center has also posted a collection of lesson plans developed by teams of USC engineering students and K-12 teachers. The lessons topics include: Light, Magnetism, and Electricity; Forces, Motion, and Design; Physical Science; Earth and Space Science; Plants and Animals; and Computer Science. Each lesson plan is available to download in Microsoft Word format and includes an overview of the lesson, such as suggested grade level, concepts covered, length of the lesson, and materials required. A section on K-12 Project Ideas offers links to other lesson resources available online. Also posted are findings from a survey of centers in the United States that are engaged in engineering, science or mathematics education that were used to develop a set of best practices for engineering education centers.
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