Indiana State University Newsroom

A group of Indiana State University technology and engineering education students talked to each other over walkie-talkies as they recently journeyed to Columbus, Ohio, in a three-car caravan.

Though the conversation eliminated the potential boredom created by the travel, the topic of conversation - questions about technology and engineering education -prepared them for one of their activities at their destination: an international conference for technology and engineering educators.

Two groups of Indiana State technology and engineering education students won second place in competitions at the 2013 International Technology and Engineering Education Association (ITEEA) Conference. Cody Eaves, Shayna Otto, Daniel Lewellen and Paul Bennett won second place in the technology challenge, a bracket-style elimination tournament in which university teams answer questions about technology and engineering education. Molly Joseph and Colby Boyer garnered second place in a teaching lesson competition for their lesson on the history of aerodynamics and aviation.

"It's a really big deal for us," said Boyer, a junior technology and engineering education and construction management double major, "It was a really good feeling that all the hard work finally paid off a little bit, and get some recognition."

Boyer and Joseph were part of a team that won a teaching competition at TEECA's regional conference in Indianapolis in October. At the international conference, they created a 10-minute teaching presentation in which they discussed the properties of aerodynamics, along with the similarities and differences in planes that have been created through the decades.

"I think it's a really big deal to have this on a resume ...," Joseph, a junior technology and engineering education major from Paris, Ill., said of the award. "It shows that we know how to do our job really well."

The university has not performed as strongly in previous conferences, Colby and Joseph said. While the group reviewed a bit while traveling to Ohio, the quiz-bowl competition also has been one that a few members of Indiana State's team is familiar with.

"I think (the award) just reflects on the content that we are getting out of the College of Technology," said Lewellen, senior technology and engineering education major from Clayton, Ind., who has been competing in the competitions for the last three years. "A lot of the questions that we had were ones that we may not have heard in our tech ed classes, but In the various technology classes we have had."

Indiana State was well-represented at the conference. Kara Harris, associate professor of applied engineering and technology management and technology and engineering education program coordinator, was one of three keynote presenters to discuss the organization, along with challenges and ITEEA's future.

"The most important thing that our future hinges upon is people, and the relationships we have with those people," Harris said, "We need to really focus on our students, whether those be secondary students, post-secondary students or past students, and help them grow professionally."

The additional highlights added to what was already expected to be a promising conference for Indiana State. While at the conference, Joseph received the $1,000 award from the international Foundation for Technology and Engineering Educators she won several months ago. The scholarship was awarded based on her interest in teaching, academic ability and faculty recommendations."I just couldn't believe it was offered to me," said Joseph, president of Indiana State's chapter of Technology and Engineering Education Collegiate Association and president of the Females in Technology student group. "I was really excited about it, actually, just to be recognized."

Photo: http://isuphoto.smugmug.com/Other/Media-Services/Technology-challenge/i-3WwFBSS/0/L/Award%20Reception%20Micheal%20Colby%20Molly%20Dan%20Shayna%20Cody%20Megan%20Paul-L.jpg (Submitted photo)Indiana State University technology and engineering education students display the award certificates they earned through several competitions at the 2013 International Technology and Engineering Education Association (ITEEA) Conference in Columbus, Ohio.

Photo: http://isuphoto.smugmug.com/Other/Media-Services/Technology-challenge/i-C7r7jj8/0/L/Dr.%20Harris%20speech-L.jpg (Submitted Photo)Kara Harris, technology and engineering education program coordinator and director of undergraduate academic student services at Indiana State University, delivers part of the keynote presentation at the 2013 International Technology and Engineering Education Association (ITEEA) Conference in Columbus, Ohio.

Contact: Kara Harris, technology and engineering education program coordinator and director of undergraduate academic student services, 812-237-2987 or kara.harris@indstate.edu

Writer: Austin Arceo, assistant director of media relations, Office of Communications and Marketing, Indiana State University, 812-237-3790 or austin.arceo-negrich@indstate.edu