October 26, 2016

CASTLE is hosting UTeach’s first annual workshop at Drexel University this November. In collaboration with University of Colorado Boulder, Boise State, and the UTeach Institute, CASTLE will be hosting a series of workshops, panel discussions, and a keynote speaker session. The UTeach Institute is an innovative university-based teacher preparation program working to increase the number of qualified science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) teachers in U.S. secondary schools.  The UTeach Institute hopes to open up dialogue regarding increased participation in teaching licensure programs through an engineering degree pathway. 

In an effort to expand the conversation, UTeach co-directors from across the country alongside members of Engineering faculty from UTeach replication sites will come together to will explore the opportunities and obstacles of expanding their UTeach program to include math and science secondary teacher licensure programs through engineering pathways.   

The one-and-a-half-day workshop’s discussions will focus on conversations relevant to faculty, students, and engineering curriculum curators. For faculty members, a workshop on building mutually beneficial relationships between Education and Engineering colleges will be held to facilitate successful practices to develop and implement an engineering pathway to secondary STEM certification.

For curriculum creators, a workshop on incorporating engineering education into engineering degrees to enable educators and administrators to implement these rigorous plans of study alongside ABET accreditation requirements. And for those institutions still searching for the benefits of engineering degree pathways in secondary teaching licensure, a workshop will be held outlining why UTeach is optimal for Engineers.

The workshop will also host a dinner and keynote presentation at the Union League of Philadelphia, a UTeach site tour of the Science Leadership Academy with principal Chris Lehmann, and a panel discussion on establishing teacher licensure pathways with leaders in Engineering education, faculty curriculum innovation, and ABET accreditation. CASTLE is greatly looking forward to hosting UTeach’s first annual workshop in our beautiful Philadelphia space, and we look forward to working with our fellow UTeach institutions to create brighter pathways towards engineering participation in UTeach programs.