Although humans make the majority of the objects we interact
and use during our day-to-day lives, the current school curriculum
focuses very little on how our human-made, or designed world, is made.
Pens, cars, pills, buildings are all technologies and the results of the
engineering design process. An increasing number of states now include the
Engineering process and the nature of key technologies into their learning
standards. Introducing engineering as the new discipline into the
curriculum offers a wonderful project based learning vehicle for the entire
K-12 spectrum that brings to life not only mathematics and the sciences but
connects them with social studies, language and the arts. Dr. Miaoulis will
describe the value of including Engineering in the formal curriculum and
give examples of success at various learning environments.
He will discuss the curriculum content for elementary, middle school and
high school level and present how engineering makes all disciplines
engaging for both boys and girls, and for all types of learners.
Dr. Miaoulis earned his bachelor’s and doctorate degrees in mechanical engineering,
as well as his master’s degree in economics, at Tufts University. He also received a
master’s degree in mechanical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Dr. Miaoulis has published more than 100 research papers and holds two patents.
He has also been honored with numerous awards for his research efforts and
community service, including the Presidential Young Investigator award;
the Allan MacLeod Cormack Award for Excellence in Collaborative Research;
the William P. Desmond Award for outstanding contributions to Public Education;
the Boston Jaycees Outstanding Young Leader Award; and a Mellon Fellowship.
Recently, named by President George W. Bush to serve on the National Museum
and Library Services Board, Dr. Miaoulis is also Co-chair of the
Technology/Engineering Education Advisory Board and a member of the
Boards of Trustees of both WGBH and (as of November 2006) of Tufts University.
He has also served on the Massachusetts Math and Science Advisory Board for several years.
