Science, Engineering, And Technology As Career Paths To Minority Students
- Conference
- Location
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Chicago, Illinois
- Publication Date
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June 18, 2006
- Start Date
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June 18, 2006
- End Date
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June 21, 2006
- ISSN
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2153-5965
- Conference Session
- Tagged Division
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Minorities in Engineering
- Page Count
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12
- Page Numbers
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11.1106.1 - 11.1106.12
- DOI
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10.18260/1-2--40
- Permanent URL
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https://peer.asee.org/40
- Download Count
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351
Paper Authors
Rafic Bachnak Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
Rafic (Ray) Bachnak is Professor and Coordinator of Engineering Technology at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi (A&M-CC). He received his B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Ohio University in 1983, 1984, and 1989, respectively. Dr. Bachnak was previously on the faculty of Franklin University and Northwestern State University.
Korinne Caruso Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
Korinne Caruso received her B.S. degree in Control Systems Engineering Technology from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi in May 2002. Mrs. Caruso is currently pursuing Master’s degrees in Computer Science and Elementary Education at A&M-CC and serves as the Graduate Program Assistant for FUSE.
Jack Esparza Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
Jack Esparza is a senior at Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi in the Mechanical Engineering Technology program, and will be graduating in May 2007. In summer 2005, he helped with the FUSE program as an Undergraduate Assistant
Marc Mendez Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
Marc Mendez is a senior at Texas A&M University† Corpus Christi in the Control Systems Engineering Technology program, and will be graduating in May 2006. In summer 2005, he helped with the FUSE program as an Undergraduate Assistant.
Abstract
NOTE: The first page of text has been automatically extracted and included below in lieu of an abstract
Science, Engineering, and Technology as Career Paths to Minority Students
Rafic Bachnak, Korinne Caruso, Jack Esparza, Marc Mendez Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Corpus Christi, TX 78412
Abstract
Summer workshops to attract local area high school students to science and engineering careers have been conducted at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi for the last three years. These workshops are designed to improve the recruitment of underrepresented students in science, engineering, and technology by introducing them to college life, involve them in hands-on activities, and offering them network opportunities. Our goal is to make the activities of this project an integral part of the recruiting and training efforts and expand them to reach a larger geographical area and a higher number of underrepresented students. This paper will describe the program and present some results.
Introduction
Strategies employed to recruit and retain students in engineering and engineering technology programs include hands-on approaches [1, 2], field trips [3, 4], summer workshops [5], and software training programs [6]. This paper discusses a project that uses all these methods to attract underrepresented students to science and engineering. The program includes presentations at high schools, invited speakers, field trips, hands- on laboratory activities, and science and technology exhibits1 [7]. Specifically, the program involves attracting 11th grade students to attend a two-week Science and Technology workshop. At this level, students are ready to make decisions that affect them for the rest of their lives; selecting the college they wish to attend and choosing the field of study they wish to pursue.
The workshop is designed to introduce students to job opportunities in the food industry and agriculture, expose them to college life, involve them in hands-on activities, and encourage them to pursue science and engineering careers. One of our goals is to make the activities undertaken by this project an integral part of the recruiting and training efforts and expand them to reach a larger geographical area and a higher number of underrepresented students. After the completion of the summer workshops, students are recruited to participate in a follow-up Science and Technology Exhibit, conducted during National Engineer’s Week in February of each year. This exhibit consists of high school students of all levels creating unique LEGO® inventions using the LEGO® MINDSTORMS™ kits provided by the university. It is anticipated that this innovative approach, focusing on the 11th grade, can serve as a model for other institutions and for future national efforts.
1 This project is funded in part by the CSREES-USDA, award # 2002-38422-12160
Bachnak, R., & Caruso, K., & Esparza, J., & Mendez, M. (2006, June), Science, Engineering, And Technology As Career Paths To Minority Students Paper presented at 2006 Annual Conference & Exposition, Chicago, Illinois. 10.18260/1-2--40
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