As the 21st century evolves, so too must LMSD students to meet new and future challenges. One way to better prepare students for their future is to increase the emphasis placed on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. The Technology & Engineering departments at HH and LM is focused on meeting that need!

Many community members are aware of the Technology Student Association (TSA), a very popular after school club. What many community members may not be aware of is that students can experience the same hands-on, project based, problem solving & design experiences in Technology & Engineering courses are taught in both high schools. Both schools over four courses: Foundations of Engineering & Design, Computer Aided Drafting & Design, Architecture, and Innovation & Inventions/Robotics.

"Technology & Engineering courses are the courses with the strongest emphasis on STEM literacy," says Travis Lehman, Harriton Technology & Engineering Instructor.  "In the T&E Department we pride ourselves in delivering educational experiences that you can't get anywhere else in school. Most areas of school are departmentalized; there's math, physics, computer science, drawing, etc. Technology & Engineering courses work a little differently. Our projects require students to apply and integrate many of these disciplines into challenging design solutions. We're not about graduating certified Engineers, but we are about teaching students how to effectively implement a design and problem solving process and giving them the opportunities solve challenging and hands-on engineering related problems . We teach students how properly identify problems, research possible solutions, determine the best possible solution given constraints, test their solutions, and how to understand the impacts of their designs. This process can be applied to almost any problem or challenge.

Part of our mission of the Technology & Engineering Department is to inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, technologists, and mathematicians. Today, the importance of an education rich in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics is at an all time high.  Educational institutions must deliberately connect and emphasize these interrelated disciplines for students to be prepared for both college and careers. In the T & E department, we're making that happen and students are seeing the value of these elective courses: "The Foundations course was awesome! I loved the hands-on problem aspects of the course. I hope to take the advanced Robotics course next year." - LMHS Freshman, Adam Granieri. "The future robotics engineers are in this class.... TAKE IT!" - HHS Freshman Ricky Maio regarding the Innovation & Inventions/Robotics class.

During the first decade of the 21st century, government agencies, industry leaders, and education associations have raised awareness of the importance of science, technology, engineering, and math through round tables, grant funding, and seminal works such as Rising Above the Gathering Storm (Committee on Science, Engineering, and Public Policy, 2007).  STEM literacy, global awareness, adaptability, and collaboration are just a few of the identified skills necessary for success in higher education, employment, and life (NCREL/ Metiri Group, 2003). Review of recent research within technology education and the standards of Technological Literacy (ITEEA 2000, 2002) illustrate how technology education is positioned to address 21st century skills while simultaneously teaching engineering design to promote technological literacy. 

From Mark Piotrowski, Technology & Engineering teacher at Lower Merion HS, "We are the T and E of STEM, and students who are considering a college degree related to technology, design, engineering should check us out. Many of the alumni who have taken some or all of courses not only credit our courses for positively impacting their college major, but they also help us stay abreast of what college students need in a high school engineering related course. Their feedback helps us as teachers better prepare students."

If you would like to know more about the courses offered within the Technology & Engineering Education departments at either school, feel free to contact Travis Lehman at HH (lehmant@lmsd.org) or Mark Piotrowski at LM (piotrom@lmsd.org)