through anethnographic approach “to provide the reader with an adequate contextualization of the culturalphenomena under study,” acknowledging the vital role that our home culture and language haveon educational reform [1]. We begin this paper by contextualizing our developmental process ofbuilding a strong sense of belonging [2] to our place in the Rio Grande Valley and by analyzingand reflecting on our personal stories, which we captured using oral history methodologies andapproaches.Steve, as many of his long-time friends called him, immigrated from Tamaulipas, Mexico, toWeslaco, Texas, in the 1950s when he was only eight years old. Steve shared with us that duringthe mid-1900s, Weslaco and neighboring cities in the Rio Grande Valley were
cooperative learning to help historically marginalized populations ofstudents in undergraduate calculus learn to think like mathematicians through socially, co-constructed inquiry[1–4]. Treisman designed the program to challenge students with difficultproblems enough to promote student learning and discussion [1,3]. Peer-led team learning is aform of collaborative learning similar to the PLSG utilized in other academic programs [5–8].Previous studies have shown collaborative learning benefits students in multiple ways, includingimproving students’ sense of belonging, grades, and persistence [9,10].A preliminary version of the PLSG model was piloted with volunteer students before the start ofthe study. The preliminary implementation differed from the
assumed thatstudents’ interactions within teams will always be constructive and positive experiences [1], [2].Inequitable patterns of interaction can exclude individuals from participation and reproduceexisting structures and systems of race- and gender-based marginalization that exist in widersociety [3], [4]. Educational institutions should provide appropriate support to foster equitableand inclusive teamwork environments in order to maximize learning and affective outcomes forall students. Tandem is a software platform designed for that purpose, offering support toinstructors in the formation and monitoring of student teams, and to students in providingfeedback on their team experiences and flagging any concerns they may have [5]. This paper
Mindset, Engineering, Engineering Technology1. IntroductionThe National Science Foundation (NSF) funded FLiTE scholarship program [1] at WesternCarolina University (WCU) aims to provide opportunity for engineering and engineeringtechnology students with financial need to build qualities of the entrepreneurial mindset that maycontribute to their value as future professionals or to their launch of technology startupbusinesses. The program brings together student scholars from across disciplines in a vertically-and horizontally-integrated learning community to engage in technology invention ideationsupported by and mentored through interactions with business leaders, subject matter experts,and campus resources.The NSF grant which supports the FLiTE
Engineering Education, 2024 First-Year Electrical and Computer Engineering Undergraduate Performance at Identifying Ethical Concerns in IEEE Case StudiesIntroductionConcern for how to best teach ethical reasoning in engineering education persists, with researchsupporting that active learning strategies are useful instruction methods for teaching ethicalreasoning in STEM fields. Active learning approaches, such as case studies or problem-basedlearning (PBL), are shown to increase student exam scores and decrease student failure rateswhen compared to instruction using lecture methods alone [1, 2]. However, there is not sufficientinformation to show that active PBL is effective for teaching ethical
. PSTparticipants found the research experience with their mentors beneficial not only to them, butalso to their future students according to our findings from interviews. Selected course moduleswill be submitted to teachengineering.org for other K-12 educators to access. 1. Introduction In the 2020 report of the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology(PCAST) to the President of the USA, PCAST has recommended a set of bold actions to helpensure continued leadership in Industries of the Future (IotF), comprising artificial intelligence(AI), quantum information science (QIS), advanced manufacturing, advanced communications,and biotechnology [1].. The three pillars underpinning these actions are (a) enhancing multi-sector engagement
of 357 articles related to predicting performance in computer science coursework was published by Hellas et al in 2018 [1]. Most of the research surveyed concerned predictinggrades for programming courses. This paper is different. It concerns giving rapid feedback tostudents who are engaged in cybersecurity exercises. Beyond the work mentioned in that article,there have been a few attempts to predict student outcomes specifically for cybersecurity trainingand exercises [2, 3, 4]. One of the first examples used the support vector machine to predict whethera student would complete an exercise based on their success in the beginning of the exercise [5].Our current work explores a number of machine learning algorithms and compares their
opportunity to develop part of his major at Purdue University and obtained his Doctorate certificate from Sao Paulo State University in 2016. ©American Society for Engineering Education, 2024 A Service-Learning Project for Surveying Students: Establishing Base Flood Elevations in Special Flood Hazard Area AIntroductionFloods occur naturally and can happen almost anywhere. They may not even be near a body ofwater, although rivers and coastal flooding are two of the most common types. Heavy rains, poordrainage, and even nearby construction projects can put you at risk for flood damage. A Base FloodElevation (BFE) is the elevation of surface water resulting from a flood that has a 1
thereadiness to implement and scale corequisite courses in other areas. It is important to understandthe mechanisms used for building capacity at the institution to transform STEM education inhigher education.Background:Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) departments has emerged as apromising avenue for promoting upward social mobility and equity [1]. However, many studentsare excluded from these majors, particularly those from low income, racially minoritized, andfirst-generation backgrounds [1]. Evidence supports that while attempts have been made tocreate learning environments that are equitable and inclusive, there is still a needed for greaterresources and effort in this area [2]. There is a clear need for institutions of
activities to meet leaders in industry roles.The second iteration of CAR 551 allowed students to complete assignments during synchronousmeetings and offer group feedback on LinkedIn profiles. The term ended with an entire classsession dedicated to verbal reflections about individual learnings. Active learning became anessential feature in future semesters.Since each CAR 551 cohort influences the future experiences of the next group of students,project leaders made changes by offering more synchronous sessions to accommodate studentacademic responsibilities as well as adding more 1:1 coaching to advise students during OdysseyPlan development. Student comments also lead to the establishment of a well-defined periodwithout online meetings.The virtual
about their program as a whole, showing that students who interacted with our system seemed to show more confidence in their own ability. Finally, we analyze student actions within the game itself to show that the PING system helps them complete content sections faster and with fewer attempts.1. IntroductionWith the advent of new methods and approaches in virtual education, automated systems, andonline learning, there is a need for general-purpose approaches to help automate studenteducation. These new approaches can serve not to replace traditional education, but to augment itthrough automated student assistance, easier classroom operation for instructors, and bettersupport for under-performing students [1]. In turn, the
from this NSF-funded project have broader implications for curriculum enhancement on a national scale. As wecontinue to refine and expand our teaching methodology, we anticipate that our efforts willcontribute to developing a more environmentally conscious and skilled workforce to address thechallenges of waste management and sustainability.IntroductionEach year, the US alone generates about 7.6 billion tons of industrial waste[1], 111 million tonsof dry crop residues and agricultural waste[2], 292.4 million tons of municipal waste[3], and 600million tons of construction, and demolition waste[4]. Currently, the US recycles about 30% ofits waste stream, substantially below the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimate of upto 75% of our
computing. ©American Society for Engineering Education, 2024 How to Teach Debugging? The Next Million-Dollar Question in Microelectronics EducationIntroductionThe Chips and Science Act [1] has made semiconductor workforce development a top priority forUS universities. Among the many skills undergraduates need to enter the semiconductor industry,debugging skills are often overlooked but essential for new product development [2]. As thetransistor count and complexity of today’s chips grow, thanks to Moore’s Law [3], fewer newchips can work perfectly for the first time. Therefore, more effort is spent on debugging, aspecific form of troubleshooting that identifies and fixes any
students to realize that they canapply the design thinking skills they learn in the engineering design process to solve their academiccareer challenges. A pilot of the FYIE program began in the 2023 Spring semester, with instructorsfrom Course A and B introducing the parallel projects. The pilot continues in the 2023 Fallsemester, with refinements to the parallel projects and the definition of analogy intervention pointsfor self-transformation. The authors of the paper will present the results from the pilotimplementations, as well as discuss the challenges and future work. This proposed initiative isdesigned with the intention of adhering to the ongoing mission of the College of Engineering andComputer Science (CECS) at the UTRGV to 1) increase
. ©American Society for Engineering Education, 2024HSI Planning Project: Integrative Undergraduate STEM Education at Angelo State University (I-USE ASU Grant #2122828)Abstract Historically, women and racial minorities have been underrepresented among the STEM(science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) workforce. Previous research has identifiedseveral factors that contribute to the persistence of minority populations within STEM fields,while other work has identified potential barriers that have influenced these disparities [1-9]. Thecurrent study sampled undergraduate students (n=222) from a Hispanic Serving Institute (HSI) inWest Texas. Participants were given a survey that explored factors including level of
, engineers must swiftly adapt to emergingtechnologies and methodologies. Computational thinking (CT) has emerged as a crucialproblem-solving methodology, offering a structured and analytical approach applicable acrossvarious professions. CT is essential for thriving in a technology-driven environment. CT skillsfoster collaboration, provide adaptability, and instill a mindset crucial for continuous learning inthe dynamic field of engineering [1], [2], [3]. To address the limitations of traditional engineering education, immersive virtualenvironments, exemplified by the Computer Automated Virtual Environment (CAVE), present agroundbreaking platform for enhancing CT skills. The CAVE, employing stereoscopic displaysand motion-tracking technology
populations needs to becreated. Despite the research on successful support systems for the recruitment and retention oflow-income and/or first-generation and historically or traditionally marginalized or minoritized anddiverse populations (LIFGUR) students at the undergraduate level (e.g., Hernandez et al., 2018; Page 1 of 9Kendricks et al., 2019; Lisberg & Woods, 2018), the effectiveness of these activities at thegraduate level has not been evaluated. Therefore, the SEGSP program was created specificallyto recruit and support academically talented, low-income students (targeting LIFGUR populations)in pursuing a master’s degree in engineering. This study seeks to explore the impact of socialization
& Instruction, in the math, science and technology division with a focus in science education.Ashley IvelandMartha Inouye, University of WyomingMeghan MaciasMaria Zaman, University of North DakotaJohn Galisky, University of California, Santa BarbaraNatalie Johansen, University of Wyoming ©American Society for Engineering Education, 2024 Supporting Elementary Engineering Instruction in Rural Contexts Through Online Professional Learning and Modest SupportsIntroductionDespite the intent to advance engineering education with the Next Generation Science Standards(NGSS) [1], teachers across all grade levels lack self-efficacy in their engineering
who live in rural and reservationcommunities. Students hailing from these communities possess unique funds of knowledge[1] that will help to address various engineering problems.Because career choices are often made before middle school [2], it is important to startexposing all children to engineering in elementary school. Exposing elementary students toengineering requires elementary teachers to be prepared and confident in their abilities toteach engineering. Unfortunately, many elementary teachers feel underprepared to teachengineering [3] and may even avoid teaching it. Consequently, better understandingelementary teachers’ perceptions of effective and inclusive engineering education could beleveraged to help them build their engineering
Sustainability in Civil Engineering and the Impact of Cognitive Bias1 INTRODUCTIONThe global climate is changing. Natural disasters, increasing temperatures, and rising sea levelsdemand the need for civil engineers. The designs they create, such as green roofs [1],[2], helpcombat negative environmental change. Designs in infrastructure, like those we see in permeablepavements [3],[4],[5], help solve the problems concerning environmental damage that havealready occurred. While there are guidelines for sustainability put in place by governmentagencies such as the Leadership in Energy and Environmental design (LEED) certification [6],civil engineers are the key decision makers when it comes to choosing how
this field.Our research validates the effectiveness of a VR-based approach and emphasizes the significanceof collaborative research in providing valuable support to the underserved ASD population.IntroductionAutism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurological and developmental condition affectingsocialization, interaction, learning, and behavior [1]. According to CDC estimates, about 1 in 36children have ASD [2]. Individuals with ASD present a heterogeneous range of symptomatology,including persistent deficits in social communication and interaction, such as differences in eyecontact and body language, a lack of verbal communication, and restrictive, repetitive behaviorsor fixations on routines, interests, or activities [3]. These deficiencies
end of itsfunding period. The results of this evaluation build upon the previously reported findings ofinterviews in a prior ASEE conference paper [1]. The PQI’s goal is to build national capacity forSTEM education research by engaging technical STEM from across the U.S. in cohorts thatparticipate in an 8-week course on qualitative and mixed methods educational researchtechniques, followed by engagement in several communities of practice and other opportunitiesto continue supporting participant research projects and building participants’ confidence aseducational researchers. This project was funded based on impact rather than research orknowledge generation; thus, this paper will report on the impacts of the PQI in terms ofparticipants
a fundamental tool for comprehensiverisk management, widely implemented across various industries [1]. This paper illustrates howPFMEA may be taught in undergraduate and graduate aviation safety courses and how casestudies may be used to illustrate the practical application of PFMEA.In this paper, the practical application of PFMEA is demonstrated by conducting an in-depthanalysis of helicopter air ambulance (HAA) accidents. This paper is structured in an aviationsafety lecture format that begins by providing details, standards, and steps related to PFMEA andthen uses an HAA accident from the National Transportation Safety Board's (NTSB) CaseAnalysis and Reporting Online [2] database to demonstrate the application of PFMEA. Onecomponent of
theSTEM workforce.I. Introduction There is a booming need for professionals in STEM fields in the United States. Employmentin STEM fields grew by 10.5% between 2009 and 2015, compared with only 5.2% for non-STEM occupations [1]. This rapid job growth is especially pronounced in the clean energyindustry, which added jobs 70% faster than the overall economy from 2015-2019 and nowemploys 2.25% of all workers in the US [2]. However, not all segments of the US population areearning STEM college degrees at the same rate. While Hispanic, Black, and American Indian orAlaska Native persons collectively account for 37% of the US population between ages 18–34 asof 2021, the same group accounts for only 26% of science and engineering-related
DiegoMinju Kim, University of California, San DiegoZongnan Wang, University of California, San DiegoDr. Nathan Delson, eGrove Education ©American Society for Engineering Education, 2024 Implementing Oral Exams in Engineering Classes to Positively Impact Students’ Learning 1. IntroductionAssessment is key to students’ learning and effective educational improvement [1]. This isparticularly critical in engineering, as a key objective of engineering education is teachingstudents how to apply scientific principles, how to reason about problems and how to thinkcritically. Unfortunately, prior research has shown that many students often resort to memorizingprocedures or processes, i.e., “plug and
, and active learning focused on physical understanding. However, the first step in theproblem-solving process, abstracting the problem, is very often missing. At a fundamental level,engineers follow a four-step design process: (1) Describing or abstracting the physical worldwith diagrams, words, numbers, and equations (2) Analyzing their model (3) Designingsomething based on that analysis, and (4) Constructing the designed system. Sophomoremechanics classes traditionally focus on step (2) largely bypassing step (1), instead presentingstudents with drawings, numbers, and text and teaching them to apply appropriate equations.The goals of this research are (1) to develop a sophomore-level mechanics class that flips thetraditional approach by
, deep learning, healthcare data analytics, and biomedical image analysis. He is currently the PI of two NSF funded projects and Co-PI of three NSF and NIH funded projects and committed to computer science education and workforce development. ©American Society for Engineering Education, 2024 Improving Retention Rate and Success in Computer Science ScholarsIntroductionIn the broader context of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields, astudy [1] reveals that the likelihood of a Black student switching majors is approximately 19percentage points higher than that of a White student. Additionally, studies indicate that access toSTEM opportunities is restricted for students attending
have the potential to spreadthroughout the formal educational system by engaging teachers, and that they can beinstrumental in engaging children in STEM. This research is funded by NSF’s ITEST award“Increasing Students' Interest in STEM through the Science of Music.”1. IntroductionMusic and STEM have been deeply intertwined over centuries, as evidenced in the mathematicalformulations attributed to Pythagoras, describing musical harmony and the music of spheres, andin the investigations of Kepler, who explored the fundamental principles that unify music,mathematics, and the structure of the known universe [1]. These early natural philosophersperceived parallels between science, mathematics, astronomy, and music that offered means tothink about
concrete, Egg ProtectionDevice, Prototyping, Civil engineering education.IntroductionSenior design and integrative design courses often represent the culmination of coursework for astudent in an engineering program. While these courses may range in methodology or scope, thecommon goal is for students to apply a range of skills to develop a design project that spans theirengineering discipline. In civil engineering programs, these projects may come directly fromprofessional practice or include experiential components to develop a preliminary design [1].With other engineering disciplines, such as mechanical or electrical, there may be requirementsto develop prototypes to iterate on their designs. The prototyping and iterations provide tangiblepoints
that the instrument was inclusive of help-seeking beliefs of studentsat other institutions. Through collaborations with a Historically Black College or University and aHispanic-serving Institution, we conducted focus groups to identify novel beliefs that were notrepresented within the first version of the EMHHI. Through this process, beliefs were identifiedsuch as, “My seeking help from a mental health professional in the next 3 months…”: 1) wouldrequire me to work with someone who doesn’t understand my cultural background, 2) would makeme feel overwhelmed or defeated and 3) would make me feel like an imposter in engineering.These novel beliefs were incorporated into an improved version of the instrument that improvedthe validity of the