Applying computing technology during problem solving and the reflection of the appropriateness of this application are crucial skills for modern life. This is especially true while working on interdisciplinary STEM problems. However, up to now, few ready-to-use materials are available to foster such competencies. This paper starts bridging this…

In this study children's learning of the concept, stability, during some building activities were investigated. It was also examined how a story can create meaning, having the children build for some animals in the story. Two preschool teachers and 10 children participated. Data consisted of video-recordings from activities with the children and…

This study aimed to present an example activity in which the engineering design process was used. The activity was carried out in an out-of-school learning environment in 12 periods of 40 minutes. Twenty-four students who were in the 6th, 7th or 8th grade, participated in the activity. Students were presented with a design problem in which moving…

Learning about people from long ago and far away poses a challenge for students because such people seem so distant and different. The lack of easily comprehensible text-based primary sources compounds this problem. Using a built environment as a primary source makes people from the distant past more accessible, concrete and exciting. Broadly…

This article describes a unit of instruction designed to promote a conceptual understanding of area in sixth-grade students. Students used benchmarks to estimate the areas of real houses and calculated the areas of houses based on building plans. (Contains 7 figures.)

This curriculum guide, one of six modules keyed to the building maintenance competency profile developed by industry and education professionals, provides materials for a plumbing procedures unit of seven lessons. Lesson topics are: safety procedures, joining pipes, water systems, fixtures and appliances, maintenance and repair, drainage systems,…

This document is one of five learning packets on alternative energy developed as part of a descriptive curriculum research project in Arkansas (see note). The overall objectives of the learning packets are to improve the level of instruction in the alternative energies by vocational exploration teachers, and to facilitate the integration of new…

This curriculum guide, keyed to the building maintenance competency profile developed by industry and education professionals, provides three units on carpentry and finishing procedures. The first unit, Exterior Carpentry, contains the following lessons: carpentry safety procedures, ladder and scaffolding safety, door installation/repair,…

This instructional package is one of two designed for regular vocational students in the vocational area of building maintenance and engineering. The fifty-three learning modules are organized into ten units: office cleaning; grounds; sanitation; boiler maintenance and operation; power and hand tools; cabinet construction; repair of damaged…

This curriculum guide, one of six modules keyed to the building maintenance competency profile developed by industry and education professionals, provides materials for a masonry procedures unit containing eight lessons. Lesson topics are masonry safety practices; set forms; mix concrete; patch and/or repair concrete; pour and finish concrete; mix…

Designed as a special studies unit for secondary school students or for adult volunteers, this student workbook and teacher's guide explains how to produce an accurate record of memorable neighborhood houses. The activities in the workbook include observation and information gathering. The workbook sections describe various steps in the process…

This 5-week unit on constructing wood agricultural buildings is designed for the junior or senior year of the regular agribusiness course of study or as part of the agricultural mechanics program. In outline form, the unit is divided into eight major performance objectives. Each objective is subdivided into the areas of content, suggested…

This instructional package is one of two designed for regular vocational students in the vocational area of building maintenance and engineering. The fifty-six learning modules are organized into five units: floor care; general maintenance tasks; restrooms; chalkboards; and carpet care. Each module includes these elements: a performance objective…

This teaching guide on masonry building maintenance, one in a series of six publications designed for building maintenance instructors in Texas, is designed to give students an understanding of masonry construction. Introductory material provides teachers with information on use of the units of instruction and personalization and localization of…

This teaching guide on electrical building maintenance, one in a series of six publications designed for building maintenance instructors in Texas, is designed to give students an understanding of electricity in order to know how to make basic repairs to the electrical systems in a building. Introductory material provides teachers with information…