This installment of “Education Challenges in the 21st Century” as presented at the HI-TEC 2009 event by Cathleen Barton, U.S. Education Manager for Intel Corporation, focuses on “Americans’ Views on Engineering”. (Click here to read Part 1.) We will look at key findings from a nationwide survey among 808 adults conducted January 22 – 25, 2009 by Hart Research Associates titled Americans’ Attitudes Toward Engineering and Engineering Challenges. The poll found that Americans largely take for granted U.S. supremacy in science and technology, having little understanding or appreciation of the role that engineers play.   The 6 key findings of the study are:   

1.       Americans have high expectations of the 21st century’s technological advancements and of America’s leadership in meeting future technological challenges.
2.       Despite their high expectations for the future, most Americans are disengaged from the world of engineering and what it takes to advance technologically.

3.       An alarming disparity exists between Americans’ views of the challenges ahead and the role that engineers will play in addressing them.
 

4.       The interest and importance Americans assign to engineering grows dramatically when they learn about the challenges engineers are addressing.
 

5.       Focusing on specific engineering challenges, Americans recognize that other countries rival the United States for technological ability.
 

6.       The ability to regain our global competitiveness in engineering and technology starts in the classroom.
 

We invite you to comment on this article.

Lara Smith