Most of each day will involve hands-on learning using the latest curriculum, instruction and assessment strategies and techniques in technology education. Experts from Pennsylvania and around the country will provide instruction. Sessions will also be instructed by three Cal U faculty members: AET professors Dr. Peter Wright and Dr. Glen Hider and associate earth science professor Dr. Tom Mueller.

About 80 of the 100 Pennsylvania teachers expected to attend are in technology education at the secondary school level. The remainder will be elementary school teachers, who will participate in the following sessions: Engineering is Elementary, a nationally-recognized program that promotes learning and teaching of engineering and technology by elementary school students funded by the National Science Foundation, Intel Corporation, and other governmental and corporate organizations; Technology, Innovation, Design and Engineering, curriculum and instructional materials developed by the Technology Education for Children Council; and Invention, Innovation and Inquiry (I3), a nationally developed curriculum for grades 5-6 to address Technological Literacy that was directed by Cal U professor Dr. Dan Engstrom with funding from the National Science Foundation.

There will be eight sessions for those at the secondary school level. There will be both introductory and advanced sessions in agile robotics with researchers and educators from the Carnegie Mellon University Robotics Academy providing participants with hands-on learning experiences with agile/mobile robots to learn about robotic mechanical systems, programming, embedded systems control and teamwork. Another session, F1 in Schools, will engage participants in engineering design modeled after the popular Formula 1 racing sport. Teachers will learn how to use Computer-Aided Drafting software for parametric modeling, computer-aided manufacturing machines and computer-based simulations of dynamic testing in a wind tunnel. Another session will introduce participants to a variety of nanotechnology topics, including electro spinning of polymer nanofibers. Other sessions include integrating science and technology, exploring technology systems, multimedia production, and geospatial technology.

The visiting teachers and staff will be housed on-campus in Cal U’s new, state-of-the-art residence halls and will be welcome to eat at the university’s dining facilities. The instruction will take place in labs and classrooms on campus. AET faculty serving as site facilitators and organizers for the institute include Dr. Dan Engstrom, Ms. Katherine Weber and Mr. Mike Amrhein.

Cal U hosted the initial GITE in 2000 and continued to host through 2003. Cal U was originally selected after AET Professor Dr. Mark Nowak submitted a grant proposal in 1999 that was funded by the state’s Department of Education. In 2004, there was no GITE, and Millersville University hosted it in 2005. The Pennsylvania Department of Education has now set up a rotation whereby Cal U and Millersville will alternate years as host.

Cal U and Millersville are the only two Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education universities to prepare teachers for technology education.

For more information, contact Komacek at (724) 938-4085 or e-mail komacek@cup.edu.