Professional Learning for Pre-College Engineering Teachers

The success of pre-college engineering education efforts will depend on the recruitment and preparation of pre-college engineering teachers. Multiple entry points and pathways for professional learning on teaching engineering should be made available so that pre-service teachers, in-service teachers, and currently practicing engineers can prepare to teach pre-college engineering education at all pre-college education levels. This book chapter discusses the importance of and need for pre-college engineering teacher professional learning (PCE TPL). A case is presented within a United States context supporting the need and place for engineering teacher professional learning by identifying growth in PCE TPL, examining the present status of PCE TPL for in-service and pre-service teachers, and considering the future of PCE TPL. The chapter contributes a much-needed overview of professional learning for pre-college engineering educators that provides a foundation for future directions in pre-college engineering teacher professional learning and advocates for continued growth of professional learning opportunities. Progress in PCE TPL will support a greater number of teachers in educating their students to gain engineering literacy and to consider engineering as a career pathway.