Engineering Should Be Blended Into K-12 Curriculum, Panel Says.

Education Week (9/9, Cavanagh) reports, "Engineering studies, or lessons on how products are designed and built, have the potential to bolster student engagement and understanding in math and science, despite the topic's relatively modest and undefined presence in the nation's schools," according to a report from the National Academy of Engineering and the National Research Council. The report found that "currently, engineering study is a 'work in progress' in U.S. schools," with "no formal learning standards or assessments on par with those in" areas such as math and science and "few well-designed, meticulously executed studies on the topic." The report's authors "recommend that K-12 engineering lessons generally have a 'conceptual connection' to postsecondary study and real-world business practices," and "should also emphasize problem-solving, the ability to use equipment and technology, communication, and collaboration with others." Instead of "new, stand-alone engineering classes," the panel advocates blending "engineering concepts and exercises" with other STEM-related courses.

Engineering Firm Uses Twitter For Real-Time Data Updates.

Detroit's WWJ-AM 950 (9/8) reported, "Waterford Township-based Kors Engineering, a service provider for manufacturing and industrial organizations, Tuesday announced the development of an extension for controls systems running the Tridium Niagara AX framework to report data status updates via Twitter," which "allows users to report data updates to any data point within the Niagara AX software's reporting capability. A user could arrange for a regular update of the power meter to determine the rate of facility or equipment usage, report run-time status and meters, air handling systems, temperature sensors, filters -- any data points that are monitored can be tracked from any device." Mike Arnott, senior integration engineer with Kors Engineering, said, "Tracking data at a predetermined rate is ideal for creating awareness which enables intelligent, effective use of resources."

Nanotechnology Seen As Having Immediate Implications For Transportation, Energy Issues.

In an article for IndustryWeek (9/8), Scott Rickert, chief executive of Nanofilm, Ltd. wrote, "There are enabling nanotechnologies in the works right now that can help us have more conventional fuel now, for less money, with less impact on the environment." Regarding the use of compressed natural gas (CNG), for example, "nanotechnology will likely provide the key to efficiently extracting natural gas," and "new engineered carbon nanostructures that are highly porous promise the capability of storing natural gas at lower pressures, making fueling stations more efficient and giving drivers more miles per tank -- all at lower costs." Rickert also discusses how nanotechnology can "help the U.S. optimize our own oil reserves and depend less on foreign sources" by using technology such as nano-sensors, which "could provide better maps of oil fields, without succumbing to the heat and pressure, and in time, help us better understand how to explore and extract more successfully."

Youth Seen As "Crucial" Investment For NASA, America.

In an op-ed for the Orlando Sentinel (9/9), NASA Administrator Charles Bolden writes, "The beginning of another school year provides a terrific opportunity to reflect on what America has accomplished in space during NASA's first half-century and how critical education is to what we will achieve during the next 50 years." Bolden cites the work done by astronauts and unmanned spacecraft as "astonishing examples of scientific and engineering prowess" and the reason "we need to continue investing in our most important resource: the next generation of scientists and engineers." NASA "will work with the Department of Education" on President Obama's "Race to the Top" initiative to improve primary education, as well as continue to provide "research and flight opportunities to America's students." Bolden believes it is "crucial" for the US to "find innovative ways to inspire and educate the next generation of scientists and engineers or watch other nations assume our leadership role."

American Graduation Initiative Must Be Linked To Employer Needs, Expert Argues.

In an article for IndustryWeek (9/9), Dr. Carl E. Van Horn of Rutgers writes, "President Obama deserves praise for proposing a new American Graduation Initiative (AGI)," which would "prepare 5 million more community college graduates by the year 2020." Van Horn argues that the plan would benefit "young jobseekers and dislocated older workers alike," and praises "the initiative's emphasis on accountability." However, this alone is "not enough to make the AGI an effective strategy for employment and economic growth," as "community colleges must deliver training and education that is relevant to the competitive 21st Century workplace." In order to ensure that this happens, Van Horn offers "several goals that should be included in the American Graduation Initiative," including "a huge expansion of student internships and co-operative education programs" and the establishment of "industry standards for training certificates." Van Horn notes that "several states...have already established closer linkages between educational institutions and employers," and advises the President and Congress to "look to these models."