The National Center for Technological Literacy (NCTL), based at the Museum of Science, Boston, develops engineering education programs that engage educators and students in the engineering design process: identify a problem, design a solution, test and improve the design. We offer a platform for applied and integrated learning in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) as well as English language arts and social studies.
Partnering with educators, foundations, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and industry representatives across the United States, the NCTL seeks to introduce or modify standards and assessments related to science, technology and engineering and to provide comprehensive K-12 curricular resources and professional development opportunities.
Our teacher-tested curricular and professional development programs feature developmentally appropriate engineering design processes and hands-on problem solving of relevant problems. Our K-5 series, Engineering is Elementary, selected as a promising practice by Change the Equation, is used in all 50 states and has reached nearly 2 million students and 20,000 teachers. Our middle school series, Building Math, received a Distinguished Achievement Award, “For Excellence in Educational Publishing,”” by the Association of Educational Publishers. We are currently developing a new middle school series in partnership with the PBS Design Squad TV show. Our full year high school course, Engineering the Future, serves as a lab science course for graduation. Our Gateway to Technology and Engineering leadership program helps school district administrators develop action plans to implement standards-based technology and engineering curricula, assessments, projects, and activities.
