The development of an online engineering alphabet

Engineering is an unknown profession to many children, as current research proves that almost all of Pre-K, Kindergarten, and first grade students do not understand the scope of engineering concepts. In this study, the authors developed a WebCT-based tool to teach the US Alphabet using engineering pictures and animations. Currently, each letter is illustrated with sample pictures and animations starting with that letter. In addition to the alphabet-teaching module, this tool also has a number of oral and virtual quizzes. Sections describing famous engineers, different engineering majors, and an engineering glossary are also part of the current development as well. The first phase of this development was beta-tested in local public schools during the summer of 2003. Students and teachers responded that the tool was very effective as an instructional source Web-book for introducing the field of engineering to young children. In this paper, the authors report current development and the results of the beta testing.