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Reflections on an Introduction to Project Based Engineering in an Incarcerated Setting

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Conference

2022 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Location

Minneapolis, MN

Publication Date

August 23, 2022

Start Date

June 26, 2022

End Date

June 29, 2022

Conference Session

WIED: Analysis, Challenges, Success, and Impacts

Page Count

20

DOI

10.18260/1-2--40591

Permanent URL

https://peer.asee.org/40591

Download Count

277

Paper Authors

biography

Rob Sleezer Minnesota State University, Mankato

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Rob Sleezer serves as an associate professor in the Department of Integrated Engineering at Minnesota State University, Mankato. As an active member in ASEE and IEEE Rob works to connect the learning of engineering to the practice of engineering. He supports learning across the breadth of electrical engineering and facilitates a seminar where student engineers engage in design and professional learning.

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Nicolle Revello

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Morgan Round

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Kristen O'Connell

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Benjamin Orlin

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Andrew Roberts Minnesota State University, Mankato

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Abstract

Education programs in incarcerated settings have a goal of improving the current and future lives of the currently incarcerated individuals. There are many programs that support earning a GED, associate degree, or baccalaureate degree when incarcerated. The benefits of these programs include improved behavior while incarcerated, reduced recidivism, and broadening the workforce. Generally, the courses offered as a part of these programs are general education in nature. This paper discusses an Introduction to Project Based Engineering taught in a women’s prison setting. Specifically, it explores the course as a case study reflected on from several angles. Each reflection illuminates the case from a different perspective. The different perspectives are a prison administrator, the instructor, the author of one of the textbooks used in the course, a student more than a decade from release, and a student a few months from release. By taking these reflections together one is able to see the challenges, rewards, and opportunities associated with teaching an Introduction to Project Based Engineering to incarcerated women. Although each perspective highlights different aspects of the course there are common themes. There are also key differences that illustrate the unique needs and wants of the various stakeholders. The common themes and differences are examined. Together they serve as a foundation for adjusting the course to make it more effective and sustainable. Additionally, the reflections examined here shed light on how an Introduction to Project Based Engineering in a traditional setting might be improved.

Sleezer, R., & Revello, N., & Round, M., & O'Connell, K., & Orlin, B., & Roberts, A. (2022, August), Reflections on an Introduction to Project Based Engineering in an Incarcerated Setting Paper presented at 2022 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Minneapolis, MN. 10.18260/1-2--40591

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