Danielle Thomas is a 7th grade science teacher who developed an electrical engineering module for her students. She participated in a summer program at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University where she conducted research with an engineering faculty member. The module she created uses interactive presentations and online activities to teach 120 7th grade students about topics like the evolution of computers, binary coding, and circuit boards. Student feedback showed they were engaged by learning how technology has developed and gaining hands-on experiences with circuits. Thomas plans to continue implementing and expanding the module based on student feedback.

1. Danielle Thomas/ ThomasYang
Presentation at 2012 ASEE SE Section Annual Conference,
April 2012, Starkville, MS

2. Danielle Thomas
7th Grade Science Teacher
Glades Middle School
Miramar, Florida
Contact Information:
danielle.j.thomas@browardschools.com

3. Six-week summer program at ERAU
campus
Each participant (K-12 science or math
teacher) paired up with an ERAU
engineering faculty member
Participants conduct research under
mentors’ supervision
Teaching materials are developed for
participants to incorporate into their
teaching practice

4. Broward Education Foundation
Disseminator Grant Winner
Award for original and innovative
teaching ideas.

5. Electrical engineering with ThomasYang
ERAU faculty
Uses an online format
Overall goal is to inspire students to pick
careers in Engineering through
curriculum exposure in middle school
Currently being implemented with 120
7th grade students

6. The module begins with an interactive
PowerPoint presentation that examines
how technology has developed and
changed over time.
It demonstrates how computers and
computer parts have been compressed
in volume and integrated over the past 50
years.

7.  “I was really surprised
when Ms.Thomas
taught us about ENIAC.
I was really shocked at
first because that
computer needed one
room to fit everything!
And nowadays, you can
fit 30 laptops in a
classroom.” By Grace

8. Students will then use examples of circuit
board and integrated circuit to create a
Venn diagram.
They created a list of how technology has
changed since they were born.

10.  “Old technology is
slow, too big, not
compatible, portable
or wireless. I like the
fact that new
technology is
wireless, portable
and can fit in the
palm of your hand.”
By DJ

11.  Students are
introduced to the
binary number
system and its
significance in digital
communication.
 Completed a binary
code translation
activity online

12.  “I learned that simple
words like dog, cat,
love and your name
can come out to be a
paragraph in the
binary code.” By: DJR
 “The binary code
translates a bunch of
zeros and ones to
letters.” By: Juan

13.  “I didn’t know what
circuit boards were…
until you taught us.
But now every time I
see technology I am
tempted to take it
apart and discover
what’s inside.”
 By Abigail

14.  “Did you know that
GPS gets all it
information from a
satellite? In space?” By
Gabrielle
 “I really didn’t
understand (before)
why cell phones
dropped calls. I was
really excited to learn
that the satellite loses
the signal.” By Maya

15.  “My opinion on
circuit boards is that
they are cool and it’s
interesting to see
how they are set up. I
would like to be able
to connect the circuit
board to something
and see how it
works.” By Mariana
Victoria wants to
create work stations
that have a “Step by
step diagram for how
to build a circuit.”

16.  Create a compare and contrast essay that
examines how signal transmission has
evolved and developed over time.
 Students combine their personal research
with the concepts taught in class.They are
required to explain the signal transmission
process and the binary code.
 Students will also describe their own ideas
about how wireless communication will
develop in the years to come.

17. Essential Electric Vocabulary – Write
word, definition, sentence and draw a
picture.
Then they use three websites to build
circuits, beginning with simple circuits
and quickly progress to complex ones.
Working alone or in groups, students will
experiment with many different circuit
configurations.

19.  Students will utilize
Snap Circuits to build
circuits.

20.  Build a tool to send
morse code.
 Satellite transmission
 “ I would like to bring
in a broken Xbox 360
remote and we can
take it apart.We can
look at the circuit
board and try to put it
back together.” By
Zachary A.

21. Continue module implementation
Applied for RET at Embry Riddle
Aeronautical University 2012
Compile the module research data and
write another journal article
Expand the module based on student
feedback
Disseminate the module to teachers
throughout the State of Florida

22. Students were engaged in the activities
and talked about it for days.
The girls in class were really motivated to
build circuits and dissect current
technology.
Discipline problems were non-existent.

23. Danielle Thomas
7th Grade Science Teacher
Glades Middle School
Miramar, Florida
Email address:
Danielle.j.thomas@browardschools.com
Website
http://www.ret-
erau.com/Modules/2011/Thomas/thoma
s.asp