Purdue Polytechnic’s Design and Innovation Challenge, a showcase for students to incorporate human-centered design during the creation of working prototypes of new products, went virtual in 2020.

Polytechnic students majoring in engineering/technology teacher education to become K-12 STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) instructors learned “Engineering by Design,” a new STEM-focused teaching model.

Greg Strimel, assistant professor of technology leadership and innovation, chaired the team that produced the “Framework for P-12 Engineering Learning,” a newly released report to provide practical guidance for engineering learning that can begin for students as young as pre-school-age and continue through high school.

Purdue Polytechnic faculty and students helped bring lessons in robotics and manufacturing to 150 area K-8 students during week-long summer camps.

Hayley Grisez, a rising sophomore studying engineering/technology teacher education (ETTE), was honored with Purdue Student Life’s Emerging Leader award.

The Indiana Manufacturing Competitiveness Center (IN-MaC) and Honda Manufacturing of Indiana (HMIN) have partnered to create the HMIN Drives Dreams Pathway (HDDP) IN-MaC Design and Innovation Studio in Greensburg, Ind.

A unique partnership is helping get kids interested in robotics, manufacturing and programming while creating a pipeline of future talent for manufacturers in the Wabash Heartland Region. It’s also providing students in Purdue Polytechnic’s engineering/technology teacher education major with industry experience.

Twelve ETTE students brought back seven awards from the International Technology & Engineering Educators Association (ITEEA) Conference. Scott Bartholomew was also honored at the event.

Jackson Otto, a junior in engineering-technology teacher education, used virtual reality, robotics and 3D printing to enhance the educational tour program at Subaru of Indiana Automotive as part of a summer undergraduate research/engagement initiative for pre-service teachers.