Techtronics: hands-on exploration of technology in everyday life

Abstract

Techtronics is an after-school science enrichment program partnering the Pratt School of Engineering at Duke University and Rogers-Herr Middle School in Durham, North Carolina. This program, funded through a three-year grant from the Burroughs Wellcome Fund, introduces students in grades 6-8 to four branches of engineering: civil, electrical and computer, biomedical, and mechanical through hands-on project building. Students design and build bridges, robots, heart monitors, and solar energy systems. A group of 20 middle school students is divided into five teams of four students. An engineering undergraduate crew leader is paired with each team as a project facilitator. An engineering graduate student coordinator leads the entire group. This paper presents a detailed description of the Techtronics program including student background, coordinator and crew leaders, project content, and the outcomes and assessment process.