The Inquiry By Engineering Design (IBED) model, designed through a
collaboration of engineers and science educators, synthesizes engineering
design down to two major concepts:
1. Engineering is solving open-ended problems. That is, engineering design problems have multiple solution options. 2. Engineering is making decisions about problem solutions using knowledge. That is, solving engineering design problems is based on a process that includes good problem definition, investigation and research into knowledge needed to solve a problem, brainstorming of solutions, analysis and/or experiments to evaluate solution concepts for a better understanding of problem parameters, and a logical process for evaluating and choosing a viable solution to the open-ended problem among multiple solution alternatives based on knowledge. |
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The purpose of the IBED model is to help teachers understand and integrate the engineering design process into their science, math, and technology classrooms based on their own disciplinary expertise and interests to help motivate and excite students about science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) learning. The IBED model was co-developed by a Virginia Tech Mechanical Engineering professor and a Virginia Tech Science Education professor along with input from administrators and teachers in the Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) in Virginia to create an educational approach designed to meet the needs of teachers. The IBED model is a general engineering design process that is applicable to teachers' individual classroom topics and interests. The IBED model is intended to provide teachers with both a basic understanding of how engineers approach and solve problems as well as a template to help them create their own exciting and meaningful engineering design activities pertinent to their own educational goals for their students.
List of IBED Model Developers
Dr. Mary Kasarda is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Virginia Tech. Contact email: [email protected]
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Dr. Brenda Brand is an Associate Professor in Science Education at Virginia Tech. Contact email: [email protected]
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Zach VanDerwerker is a graduate student in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Virginia Tech.
Wei Sun is a graduate student in Science Education at Virginia Tech.
Dr. Patricia Gaudreau is the Supervisor for Science, Health, and Physical Education for Montgomery County Public Schools.
Rick Weaver is an administrator career and technical education (CTE) for Montgomery County Public Schools
Dr. Paul Wilder is is a registered organization development consultant who contributed to the project through her assessment and evaluation of the application of the model in the context of teacher professional development.
Acknowledgements: Virginia Tech and Montgomery County Public Schools IBED team acknowledges and appreciates the Virginia Department of Education for support of this project through the Math and Science Partnership grant APR number VA110317.
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