Technology Education in the United States

Abstract

Technology education has a long history in the United States as manual training in the 1870s, industrial arts through most of the twentieth century, and now as technology and engineering education in most states. Federal legislation has helped define and finance technology programs while organizations such as the International Technology and Engineering Educators Association, National Academies, National Science Foundation, National Assessment Governing Board, and National Aeronautics and Space Administration have shaped content and pedagogy. There are many opportunities in the U.S. such as Integrative STEM Education, growing informal education experiences in makerspaces, and expanding elementary technology education, but there are also challenges such as teacher shortages, the role of engineering, and the dynamic nature of emerging technologies and educational practice.