2004 Speaker Professor Brian Brenner

The Massachusetts Technology Education / Engineering Collaborative,
MassTEC, is proud to announce Brian Brenner, Professor of Practice at Tufts University, as the Key Note Speaker for this year’s conference, to be held at Fitchburg State College on November 19, 2004.  The theme of this year's conference is Design + Build = Technology Education / Engineering Education. 

Brian Brenner is Professor of Practice at Tufts University, teaching
classes in concrete design, bridge analysis and design, and introduction
to engineering. His research includes long-term bridge design, structural parameter estimation, and topics in engineering education. Prior to his
appointment at Tufts, he was a practicing structural engineer with Parsons Brinckerhoff in Boston. His last assignment was as Chief Structural Engineer on the Central Artery/Tunnel Project. Professor Brenner has published over 70 papers and articles on topics of structural analysis and design, design for construction mitigation, engineering education,computer aided design and other topics. He is currently Editor of the Journal of Professional Issues in Engineering Education and Practice, the education journal of the American Society of Civil Engineers. He is chair emeritus of the publications committee of Civil Engineering Practice, the Journal of the Boston Society of Civil Engineers, and he is active in several BSCES and ASCE committees. Professor Brenner received the BSCES President's Award in 2000, and the Clemens Herschel Award in 2001.

MassTEC's yearly conference features presentations from teachers, educational administrators, and industry professionals.  The main
attendees are teachers engaging in a professional development activity.  Any parties are welcome to attend or present at the conference if they are supportive of the mission of MassTEC.  Approximately 125 people attended last year's conference as well as approximately 12 vendors with products for the Technology Engineering Classroom and Admissions from Fitchburg State College.  We predict this year's conference to be attended with equal participants and an increase of vendors.  Additional information about the conference and MassTEC in general is located at masstec.org .


Mission of MassTEC

This Collaborative and its members believe in the power and promise of Technology Education in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as well as the national priority for Technological Literacy (Standards for Technological Literacy).

We believe in the establishment of technology education standards, and an emphasis on the engineering design process. Members of the Collaborative certified Technology Education Teachers, Engineers, and others with the same interest, support an on-going evaluation and implementation of benchmarks and standards of the Massachusetts Science and Technology/Engineering Curriculum Framework.

We believe that partnerships with the Massachusetts Department of
Education, Engineering Schools and Organizations, and the International Technology Education Association (ITEA) will enhance formal technology studies through professional development and professional opportunities. We believe in cooperation and coordination with other groups who support technological literacy for all students.

The Collaborative will promote the study of technology as a core subject. We will identify and support activities that lead to continued improvement of technology/engineering programs. We believe that the study of technology is an essential discipline, and that the teaching of technology education is a rewarding career choice.