Lawrence Genalo

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Lawrence Genalo is a pioneering figure in K–12 engineering education, best known for developing the innovative “Toying With Technology” program at Iowa State University. His research focuses on technology literacy, mobile robotics, and creating meaningful engineering linkages for pre-college teachers and students. Genalo’s major contribution lies in bridging the gap between engineering faculty and teacher education—since 1996, he has collaboratively designed undergraduate courses that empower elementary and secondary education majors to understand and teach the science behind everyday electromechanical devices. His work demonstrates that students form critical career and educational attitudes early, and that hands-on experiences with mobile robots and remote-control gadgets can demystify engineering concepts. Among his most cited works, “Toying With Technology: Mobile Robots And High School Interns” (10 citations) and “An Engineering Linkage To K–12 Teachers” (10 citations) highlight his sustained impact on curriculum development and teacher preparation. Though modest in raw citation counts, Genalo’s influence is profound: his field experience model has been adopted for over eight years, shaping how engineering literacy is introduced in classrooms nationwide. His legacy is a testament to the power of playful, inquiry-driven learning in inspiring the next generation of engineers.