American Society for Engineering Education facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
American Society for Engineering Education

Founded	1893
Type	Professional organization
Focus	Engineering education
Area served	Worldwide
Method	Conferences, publications
Key people	Stephanie Adams, President

The American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) is a group that helps make engineering and engineering technology education better. It's a non-profit organization, which means it doesn't aim to make money. ASEE was started way back in 1893. Its main goal is to improve how engineering is taught and learned. This includes teaching methods, helping students, doing research, and sharing information with the public. ASEE also manages Tau Alpha Pi, an honor society for engineering technology students.

History of ASEE

The American Society for Engineering Education has a long and interesting history. It began over 130 years ago.

How it Started: SPEE

ASEE was first called the Society for the Promotion of Engineering Education (SPEE). It was founded in 1893. This was a time when many new colleges were opening in America. In 1862, a law called the Morrill Land-Grant Act was passed. This law gave money to states to create public colleges. These colleges taught practical skills, especially in farming and mechanical arts.

At first, students learned hands-on skills. But professors soon wondered if students needed more science and math. They decided that engineering studies should focus on scientific and mathematical principles. This was instead of just learning by doing.

SPEE was formed during the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair. This big event, called the World's Columbian Exposition, showed off new inventions like electricity. SPEE members wanted to improve how engineering was taught in classrooms. Over the years, the society published important reports. These included the Mann Report (1907) and the Wickenden Study (1920s).

Becoming ASEE

During World War II, the government started to focus more on research. Because of this, SPEE created a new group called the Engineering College Research Association (ECRA). This group focused on engineering research. It helped get money from the government for research.

After the war, SPEE and ECRA decided to join together. In 1946, SPEE was replaced by the new organization, ASEE. This new group combined teaching and research.

For many years, ASEE was run by volunteers. In 1961, ASEE opened an office in Washington, DC. This helped the organization become more active. During the 1960s and 1970s, there was a lot of social change. ASEE leaders decided to focus more on teaching again.

Because of this new focus, ASEE started to manage government programs. These included summer programs for college professors from NASA. They also helped with programs for the Defense Department. ASEE managed many government contracts. This included the important National Science Foundation's Graduate Research Fellowship Program until 2019.

Helping More Students

ASEE also worked to bring more minorities and women into engineering. They created a program to help engineering teachers at historically black colleges. They also shared information about these schools.

In the 1970s, ASEE received money to study the status of women and Native Americans in engineering. They developed programs to encourage more of these students to study engineering. ASEE continues to publish studies on this topic. They also have special groups that work on programs and research in this area.

ASEE Presidents Since 2000

Here are the people who have led ASEE as president since the year 2000:

• 2000-2001 - Wallace T. Fowler
• 2001-2002 - Gerald S. Jakubowski
• 2002-2003 - Eugene M. DeLoatch
• 2003-2004 - Duane L. Abata
• 2004-2005 - Sherra E. Kerns
• 2005-2006 - Ronald Barr
• 2006-2007 - David Wormley
• 2007-2008 - Jim Melsa
• 2008-2009 - Sarah Rajala
• 2009-2010 - J.P. Moshen
• 2010-2011 - Renata Engel
• 2011-2012 - Don Giddens
• 2012-2013 - Walter Buchanan
• 2013-2014 - Kenneth Galloway
• 2014-2015 - Nicholas Altiero
• 2015-2016 - Joe Rencis
• 2016-2017 - Louis Martin-Vega
• 2017-2018 - Bevlee Watford
• 2018-2019 - Stephanie Farrell
• 2019-2020 - Stephanie G. Adams
• 2020-2021 - Sheryl Sorby
• 2021-2022 - Adrienne Minerick
• 2022-2023 - Jenna Carpenter
• 2023-2024 - Doug Tougaw
• 2024-2025 - Grant Crawford
• 2025-2026 - Christi Luks

Awards and Recognition

ASEE gives out awards every year. These awards celebrate the great work of engineering and engineering technology teachers. The winners show strong dedication to their jobs. They also help ASEE's mission and are active in their communities. ASEE award winners are great examples of excellence in engineering education.

Current Awards

Former Awards

• George Westinghouse Award (1946-1999)

Conferences and Meetings

ASEE and its members organize many conferences, meetings, and workshops. The biggest event is the ASEE Annual Conference. Other events include regional meetings for members. There are also conferences focused on specific professional interests. ASEE also offers training for K-12 teachers.

Fellowship Programs

ASEE manages many fellowship and research opportunities. These programs get money from government groups. These include the Department of Defense (DOD), NASA, and the National Science Foundation (NSF).

These programs offer different opportunities. Some provide summer internships for high school students. Others offer research programs for college professors. These can be for the summer or during a sabbatical. ASEE also supports undergraduate and graduate research. They have postdoctoral research programs for people with PhDs. These programs take place at government and industry research centers.

ASEE helps with these programs in many ways. They promote the programs and help process applications. They also help review applications. ASEE also manages payments for students and researchers in these programs.

See also

• Engineering education in the United States
• Ira Osborn Baker