Engineering by Design is Coming to NEW YORK

I am pleased to announce that we are very close to bringing the ITEEA curriculum Engineering by Design™ (EbD) to NY State. Again, we are not trying to have this program mandated to districts; rather, we wish to make it an available option to districts seeking a low cost, flexible, regularly updated and standards-based K-12 program. ITEEA is also tying the program in with Common Core Standards, an effort that should appeal to many.

Our first round of EbD teacher training by ITEEA experts will take place June 26-28 at Oneida-Madison-Herkimer BOCES in New Hartford, NY and cover the 7^th and 8^th grade Engineering Design™ courses. Unless demand is high enough to warrant a shorter timeline, high school training will be offered next year.

If you are a teacher who signed the EbD support form, your district superintendent should have recently received detailed information about the program and the associated agreements. This information was distributed directly by the superintendent of Oneida-Madison-Herkimer BOCES and, strategically, this collaboration opens a door to BOCES aid. Please note that even if you did not fill out a support form, districts throughout the state are welcome to participate; however they must agree to the consortium terms. For participation in 2012-13 all agreements and commitments must be completed by May 1, 2012.

As members of the EbD consortium, each participating district will pay a yearly fee; however, as more districts participate each year, the fee will drop significantly. As an example, if only 12 districts join this summer (our minimum number), the cost per district will be $2,165. If more districts join, the cost will be lower. Given the current economic conditions, it is important to note that BOCES aid will likely pay a portion of these expenses; however the percentage covered will vary from district to district.

We are very fortunate because the CTE Technical Assistance Center of NY will be paying the majority of costs to bring ITEEA expert trainers to NY, leaving teachers/districts with only $150 charge for 15-18 hours of training. Districts will be expected to cover their participating teacher’s mileage, lodging, meals and daily stipends. Again, BOCES aid will likely pay a portion of these expenses.

In most instances Engineering by Design™ can be implemented using existing technologies commonly found in schools and technology programs. More specific information on Engineering by Design™ is attached and still more can be found at http://www.iteea.org/EbD/ebd.htm. Members of NYSTEEA, the CTE Technical Assistance Center of NY and Oneida-Herkimer-Madison BOCES are available to answer questions and contact information is attached.

To sum up the costs in a Worst Case Scenario (only 12 districts participating), the first year cost would be $2,165 fee per district + $150 per teacher for training + the cost of mileage, lodging, meals and teacher stipend, -Minus BOCES Aid. However, we optimistically expect the district fee to be lower.

We look forward to working with many of you this summer as we move forward with this exciting collaboration!

Sincerely,

--

Michael T. Fry
President 
New York State Technology & Engineering Educators' Association 
NYSTEEA--Promoting Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM)
Hands-On, Real-World Education
www.nysteea.org