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The Infinity Project: Preparing High School Students for University-Level Engineering
By Teachers.Net News Desk
An established engineering curriculum program is now positioned to help Texas principals and superintendents challenged to fill fall schedules with expanded science and math classes to adhere to new 4X4 graduation requirements.
Over 180 Texas high schools already offer The Infinity Project for science- and math-based engineering coursework, credited as an elective class. Beginning with the 2010-11 academic year, 11th and 12th grade students may add engineering to their schedules to meet science graduation requirements.
“This cost-effective, standards-based classroom technology takes learning to the next level,” says Teresa Green, Director of Science with Spring, TX ISD. “The Infinity Project team helps us train teachers to deliver its cutting-edge classroom material that is flexible enough to use as a standalone 4th year science course, or incorporated into existing science, math, or career & technology classes.”
“Students who complete biology, chemistry, and physics now have the opportunity to add engineering as a graduation credit,” says Tammy Richards, Associate Dean of SMU’s Lyle School of Engineering and Executive Director of The Infinity Project.
It was Richards who advocated adding engineering as a 4th year science graduation credit in Texas. In compliance with Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) requirements, The Infinity Project curriculum will enable students interested in taking an engineering course to receive one science credit for graduation
“We’ve been preparing all along for this,” says Dianna McAtee, Director of Academic Relations for The Infinity Project. “Our partner schools are now well positioned to meet the 4X4 requirements, and we are reaching out to districts searching for a turnkey solution to quickly and cost-effectively add quality engineering courses.”
For students with an aptitude for math and science, early exposure to engineering curriculum will help them succeed at the university level, says Richards. “We are building strong partnerships with educators now to inspire and equip our young people to be competitive in the global world of engineering.”
The Infinity Project team supports its plug-and-play engineering curriculum with in-depth professional development, instructional materials, high-tech classroom technology, and customer support. Instructors currently possess math, science, or technology education certification and a willingness to work with computers. The State of Texas will finalize teacher certification requirements for the 4th year engineering science course in the spring of 2010.
About The Infinity Project
The Infinity Project, created by Southern Methodist University (SMU) Lyle School of Engineering and Texas Instruments, uses hands-on curricula to bring science and math to life for secondary and early college students. The Infinity Project helps school districts incorporate state-of-the-art engineering and advanced technology into high school and middle school classrooms. Because of its success, The Infinity Project also is being taught at both the junior college and university level with exciting results.
Nearly 400 middle schools, high schools and colleges in 38 states are utilizing The Infinity Project to build the technology leaders of the future. This innovative program provides cutting-edge curriculum, outstanding instructional materials, hands-on design projects, low-cost high impact classroom technology, and best-in-class professional development for educators.
