Teaching Bio-Inspired Engineering in K-12 Schools

Projects highlighting STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education in secondary schools have promoted student interest in engineering-related fields and better student understanding of math and science concepts. Project STEP (Science Technology Enhancement Program), funded by a NSF GK-12 grant at the University of Cincinnati, is one community partnership taking aim at improving STEM skills and communication. A lesson was developed and implemented in a local Cincinnati High School classroom as a product of this program on applying concepts from biology such as genetics, parts of ecology, and evolution to technology, specifically Intelligent Systems. This lesson showed increased student involvement in the classroom, understanding of the material, and interest in Engineering. An overview, objectives, standards addressed, and assessments of the lesson are presented here in detail. Additionally, assessment results and reflections from the program participants are offered.