Engineering Fundamentals ─ Design, Principles, and Careers

Dr. Ryan A. Brown is an assistant professor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction and an associate director of the Center for Mathematics, Science, and Technology at Illinois State University. He currently teaches courses for pre-service teachers on topics such as instructional methods and assessment. Previously, he taught a variety of courses at the secondary level, including design processes, transportation systems, and fundamentals of engineering. Dr. Brown coauthored Exploring Design, Technology, & Engineering with Dr. R. Thomas Wright and Energy, Power, and Transportation Technology with Dr. Len Litowitz. He has also written titles in both the Humans Innovating Technology Series (HITS) and the Kids Inventing Technology Series (KITS) for ITEEA, as well as in the Activity! series for the Center for Implementing Technology in Education. Dr. Brown’s educational background includes a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from Ball State University and a doctorate degree from Indiana University. Dr. Brown; his wife, Heather; and his sons, Benjamin and Samuel, reside in Normal, Illinois.

Joshua W. Brown is an assistant professor in the Department of Technology and Engineering Education at Illinois State University. He previously taught middle school and high school in Indiana. He currently prepares future technology and engineering education teachers and is actively involved in the student organizations Technology and Engineering Education Collegiate Student Association (TEECA) and the Technology Student Association (TSA). His research focus is in STEM education and integrating engineering into secondary classrooms. Dr. Brown has a B.S. from Ball State University in Technology Education, an Ed.M. from University of Illinois in Educational Psychology, and a Ph.D. from Purdue University in Curriculum Studies.

Mike Berkeihiser teaches engineering design, architectural design, and electronics at Unionville High School in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. Unionville’s Technology Education Department won ITEEA and TEEAP Program Excellence Awards in 2009. Mr. Berkeihiser has written numerous journal articles for Technology and Engineering Teacher and the TEEAP Journal and has presented at many conferences. He is also the coauthor of Manufacturing and Automation Technology with Dr. R. Thomas Wright. Mr. Berkeihiser’s educational background includes a bachelor’s degree from Millersville University and a master’s degree from Ball State University.