TEEAP/NJTEEA Collaboration

As a response to the COVID-19 virus, school districts are throughout the country are exploring the use of online instructional methods in order to continue to deliver high quality instruction to students. As a result TEEAP and NJTEEA have decided to join efforts to aid our members in sharing content and ideas that can be delivered in an online setting only. We encourage anyone who is developing lessons for use online, to share to their content with others. We have setup a Google Drive that should be shared with any developing useful materials. To access the drive please click here. Please consider helping our fellow members develop lessons and help our profession deliver quality content during this unprecedented situation.

Attention Pennsylvania
Technology & Engineering Educators:

• There is talk of aligning the academic standards with the Next Generation Science Standards — especially since they now include engineering.
• TEEAP is concerned that our content area could be overshadowed by science in the revised standards.
• These concerns are validated by PDE’s press releases and web page that refer to them as only “Science Standards”. We feel overlooked before the process has even begun.
• Professional associations exist to do collectively what we can't do individually. 
• Let's get to work on this! Read our CALL TO ACTION here!

What’s Happening:

• PDE is beginning the process of revising the Academic Standards for Science & Technology.
• Stakeholder Meetings are scheduled from February 19 through March 12, 2020.
• The purpose of the Stakeholder Meetings is to get input from all concerned parties.

TEEAP’s Immediate Action Plan:

• Mobilize the membership and other supporters of Technology & Engineering education to attend Stakeholder Meetings.
  
• Use our TEEAP Facebook page to enable members to share information about meetings, so that early meeting attendees can provide guidance for attendees at later meetings.

Why it Matters:

• Once these new academic standards are revised, are likely to be in place for decades. The current standards were adopted in 2002—18 years ago.
  
• These standards will set expectations for Technology & Engineering teachers. They will affect your classes and curriculum.

We Need You to:

1. Register for and attend a Stakeholder Meeting.
2. Speak about the value of Technology & Engineering Education.
3. Refer to ITEEA’s STEL’s, which you can read about in the STEL Executive Summary.
4. Be prepared with a concise statement when you speak. We are not sure of the format, but you will likely have a time limit. Make your point quickly and clearly.
5. Take immediate action! The Stakeholder Meetings are happening very quickly, with little advanced notice. We cannot wait to be heard, the time to speak up is now. Take action today!
6. Share about these meetings and opportunity for input (or even share this email or attached pdf) with other T&E teachers and administrators who are supportive of T&E.

Preparing for a stakeholder meeting:

• If you have not already, register for and attend a Stakeholder Meeting scheduled between now and March 12, 2020. 
• Check out the Meeting Feedback from colleagues who have attended a session already! 
• Familiarize yourself with key Talking Points that will be helpful in advocating for Technology & Engineering education during the stakeholder meetings. 
• You may also want to read the longer Benefits of TE Education document prepared by ITEEA for more information. 
• If you absolutely cannot attend a meeting in person or virtually, please take time to complete this survey to ensure your voice and opinions are heard on this important matter.
• Lastly, encourage other Technology & Engineering teachers, administrators, and other supporters to attend these sessions with you!
• After these meetings a report will be prepared and then the Academic Standards will be revised.
• We expect this process will move very rapidly!

2020 TEEAP STEM Conference

This theme this year will be Focus on the Future

As usual, the TEEAP STEM Conference will provide an opportunity for technology and engineering educators to gain comprehensive professional development and networking experiences. This year’s conference will again be held in Osburn Hall on the campus of Millersville University October 22nd-23rd, 2020. 

Check back for more information! Registration will be open in mid-April, 2020. 

What is STEM you ask?

You can also learn more about Integrative STEM Education from the ITEEA website by visiting ITEEA's Understanding Intergrative STEM page by clicking here.