six individual skillmodules covering skills such as dependability, responsibility, independence, persistence,integrity, and ethics. The main goal is to create multiple opportunities to teach and reinforcesoft skills within the regular technical curriculum in the high schools. This paper discussesthe integration of the soft skills modules into the technical curriculum developed viaexamples, and outlines its potential uses in this engineering department’s curriculumincluding its manufacturing engineering program. The paper concludes with a discussion ofthe implementation of this project and provides some preliminary feedback from theparticipating high schools and reflections of the authors. It also includes future workopportunities such as
interdisciplinary approach was incorporated in the curriculum that involved studentsidentifying problems in existing products to create new solutions. This involved dissection of anexisting product, carrying out functional decomposition to understand the functional relationshipsbetween component parts, identifying gaps in the design, and bridging gaps in the designs by eitherimproving the design or coming up with a new design. Given that students carried out theseactivities in groups, they developed teamwork skills, improved their communication skills, andenhanced their critical thinking skills. A photovoice reflection survey and a set of open-endedquestions were used to evaluate the outcomes. Results showed that students were more motivatedto learn the
impacted theircollaboration skills, and whether their involvement affected their interest in participating inengineering outreach activities. To determine how their perceived impact of the project on theirprofessional preparation has changed from when they took the class to now when they areworking professionals, we compare their recent responses to the responses in reflections theycompleted while taking the course. The information gathered in the survey also provides a meansto evaluate the effectiveness of the project and identify areas for improvement, which hasimplications for how similar projects might be designed and enacted in the future. Introduction The Accrediting Board for Engineering and Technology, commonly known as ABET
in their programrequirements. The study assessed the impact on student confidence in using these tools beforeand after the course, aiming to better understand their experiences and create course materialsthat more accurately reflect the challenges of aerospace engineering design. A backwards designapproach was employed in the development of the modules, and a thematic analysis wasconducted on student reflections. The analysis underscored the importance of challengingprojects supplemented with supporting modules in gaining insights into engineering design toolsfor aircraft design.IntroductionWith the fast and ever-changing growth in the aerospace industry, it is necessary to meet thedemands of the industry with individuals who are capable of
conducted in2023 [8] offers a granular perspective on the implementation of these platforms in a traditionally non-digital sector.This work is seminal in discussing the operational efficiencies and innovative prospects afforded by low-codeplatforms, as well as addressing the potential drawbacks that may arise from an over-dependence on said platforms. At the same time, another work [9] that takes a multidisciplinary approach provides a retrospective view of theevolution of low-code platforms, elucidating their strategic integration with ERP systems. It reflects on thehistorical progression from model-driven development to the current state where low-code platforms are essentialin enhancing business processes, fostering agility, and enabling
retention and engagement in the university community?This 1-unit introductory course has been developed around three themes: • Entering the Engineering/Computer Science Profession • Engaging in the University Community • Building Skills for SuccessTo develop students’ professional skills and knowledge of career paths available, the first-yearstudents in this course meet with student leaders, engage in breakout group discussions with theChairperson or a faculty member from their intended major, watch and reflect on brief videosabout each of the majors offered in the School of Engineering and Computer Science, andparticipate in classroom activities focused on professional communication and ethics.Active engagement in the university community is
different groups (such as race or gender) and the resulting psychological re-sponses. ICT identifies key conditions that enable positive contact between members of differentraces and genders in a group. For this exploratory analysis, we included all participants in the larger study who identifiedas African American and female; all were full-time undergraduate students enrolled in an engi-neering course with a team project. The nine participants represent a range of years in school andengineering majors. Data collection followed a three-interview sequence and included questionsabout participants’ background, their team project, and their reflections on the teaming experi-ence, respectively. In this paper, we present our initial exploration of
reflections of members from a multi-disciplinaryteam. Even though the focus of this particular group is software based, the take-aways for multi-disciplinary collaboration will apply across non-software teams as well. Ultimately, this paperaffords an opportunity for educators to expand on examples of how multiple disciplines cometogether in the tech/engineering workforce. Additionally, the paper implores engineers to engagein lifelong learning as they interact with increasingly multi-disciplinary teams in the workplace.BackgroundMost students who choose to major in engineering do so to become a part of the community ofpractice of professional engineers [1], meaning that they want their college experience to includeadequate exposure to what a career
, constructing one’s sense of self throughconstant development and self-reflection [5]. It includes the traits and characteristics, socialrelations, roles, and social group memberships that define who a person is within a particularsetting. Engineering identity, especially for students, reflects their acceptance of and recognitionas part of the engineering field, influencing their decision to enter and persist in the field [6].When students possess a strong engineering identity, they tend to perceive themselves as futureengineers, fostering their commitment to their pursuit of an engineering career [7]. This identitycontinues to impact their learning, serving as a guiding force throughout their studies [8]. Morelock synthesized the disperse
data sets anddevelop equity-focused projects. This approach is designed to simultaneously teach computingtechnical skills while integrating social, economic, and political dimensions into engineeringwork. The course redesign includes three main components: 1. Small group and whole-class discussions led by the instructor and supported by Equity Learning Assistants (ELAs), who are trained in equity pedagogy. These activities, typically once a week during a lab session, aim to make students aware of the societal implications of their engineering decisions and encourage them to critically evaluate data and technology within broader sociopolitical contexts. Each lab is followed by a reading and reflection assignment to
determining the extent to which students’ engagement with Frankensteinwas able to facilitate ethical reflection and professional identity formation. To address thisquestion, the current study begins by situating the class discussion of the novel within thebroader aims and structure of the course; then, it analyzes a series of student written reflectionson moral aspects of the novel and its portrayal of Victor Frankenstein specifically. The analysisorganizes the data into salient themes that emerge from the written reflections illustrated byselections of student writing. The data indicate that students were able to articulate severalethical themes that emerge from the novel’s depiction of Victor Frankenstein’s practice of roguetechno-science and
qualitative case study research design and identifies the successes andchallenges of institutionalizing a successful NSF-funded S-STEM recruitment and retentionprogram. Institutionalization of successful educational programs is a goal of many NSF-fundedprograms. Reflection and critique of the institutionalization of our program will provide criticalinsights for similar programs on planning their institutionalization and contribute to theunderstanding of the institutionalization process, timeline, and effort areas. Throughout a“COVID-interrupted” 7-year period, this NSF-funded S-STEM program implemented research-based student success and retention strategies to serve 90 students and provide scholarshipsupport to 42 students. As programmatic elements
space to support the adoption of evidence-based strategies, transfer of methodologies and tools,critical self-reflection of teaching practices, adoption of improved pedagogy by new instructors,and learning of innovative teaching techniques by more established instructors [3], [4]. Althoughmulti-lecturer courses bring these advantages to students and instructors, they can be difficult toplan, execute, and assess. Some of the challenges reported are consistent messaging, classhousekeeping, overlapping roles, the dominance of one discipline, loss of individual autonomy,and poor logistics [2], [5].This paper discusses a team-taught engineering course for pre-college students. Over the pastfour years, a team of three to five graduate student
additional question was added related to ChatGPT,which had risen to prevalence in that time. 5. I think I will need to use ChatGPT at some point in my career.In addition to the MATE 245 class, in the summer of 2023, two undergraduate research studentswere employed to aid in the development of the plastic 3D printing dataset and case study. Thesestudents spent 8 weeks working on developing the 3D printing case study in the Citrine Platform.During this time the students gained more in-depth knowledge of AI and ML through guided andindependent research. The students were invited to provide prompt-based written reflections ontheir understanding and perceptions of ML and how it might be applied to their future careers.Preliminary Findings and
maps and reflections will be used to assess student’sgrowth in EM connectedness. A description of each institution’s partnership development andimplementation is presented in this paper. We anticipate key results will include: 1) students’positive perception through engaged learning, 2) student growth in EM connectedness, 3)students’ increased appreciation of multiculturalism, 4) all modalities support growth in student’sEM and multiculturalism competencies, and 5) in-person international travel componentsdemonstrate a larger increase in multiculturalism competencies due to cultural immersion. Theteam is finalizing plans for these experiences in fall 2023 and will implement the experiencesand collect data in spring 2024
outcomes. Scholarssuch as Felder and Brent have emphasized the importance of disciplined inquiry into teachingmethodologies to improve the learning experiences of engineering students especially related toactive learning [6], [7]. SoTL allows educators to systematically investigate effectiveinstructional strategies and assess their impact on student learning. Previous research hasunderscored the transformative potential of SoTL emphasizing its role in shaping curriculardesign and facilitating evidence-based teaching approaches [8]. Reflective practice and practicedissemination, two key components of SoTL, holds the potential to accelerate growth not only atthe micro (classroom) level but also at the meso (institutional) and macro (national
further detail below. The data exploredwithin this case study included observations of the classroom teacher while teaching the e4usacurriculum, instructional materials, and reflections following instruction. Engaging in this case studyenriches the understanding of engineering pedagogy and supports the practices of other educatorsaiming to remove barriers and support SWDs in engineering education.Teacher Selection and School Site and The case study took place at a school that provides extensive educational and support servicesto children and adolescents who have autism, trauma disorder, and multiple disabilities. It is also one ofthe e4usa partner high schools that offer a pre-college engineering program to SWDs. Mr. Sagunoversees the
less than 50% of the class admitted that they used the resourcesavailable.IntroductionThe Felder-Soloman Index of Learning Styles is a validated and accepted tool for assessingwhere on the spectra (visual-verbal, sensing-intuitive, active-reflective, sequential-global)students fall with respect to the different stages in the learning process [1-3]. To date, theinventory has been used as a guide to help instructors vary their classroom instruction to usemethods that will ultimately address all learning styles by cycling through instruction approaches[2, 4-9].Over the last two decades, a group of educational psychologists have attempted to refute thevalidity of learning styles in the design of instruction, stating that doing so is a detriment
masculinity and competition in engineeringculture [6]. A review of engineering identity synthesized common aspects that defineengineering as problem solving and knowledge in math and science [7] reflecting thetechnical focus. In light of these dominant narratives, there is ongoing work to disrupt thetechnicist identity and exclusionary culture of engineering to better reflect the multifacetedroles of engineers and the diverse populations they serve (see, for example, [8]). One framingto broaden the scope of what it means to be an engineer and do engineering is macroethics,the collective societal responsibility of engineers [9].MacroethicsRelative to other subjects, ethics has a shorter history in the engineering curriculum withformal inclusion
are the teachers’ and their students’ perspectives on the efficacy of the Research–Practice Partnership (RPPs) professional development model for computer scienceeducation in Indigenous-serving schools?1.2 Literature reviewResearch–practice partnerships or RPPs offer a useful strategy for education and closing the gapbetween research and practice (Datnow et al., 2023). Research partnership is a non-traditionalapproach to help joint reflection and reciprocal learning between professionals (Eisen, 2001).Partnership with teachers for professional development has been found beneficial as it can allowcollaborative work in the classroom to be relevant to practice (Jung & Brady, 2016). This couldbe particularly useful for teaching in rural areas
Award for Employee Recognition, and induction into the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, placing her among the top 10% of Purdue Graduate students. Her academic journey reflects a commitment to advancing knowledge and contributing to technological innovation in XR control systems. Her professional aspirations include applying for an Assistant Professor position upon completing her Ph.D. This career trajectory aligns with her desire to leverage her accumulated experience and knowledge to mentor and guide emerging talents. A central component of her vision is inspiring and supporting aspiring scholars in pursuing academic and professional excellence, facilitating impactful change within our field.Dr. Farid Breidi
futureprofessional licensure. In addition, the program fosters the development of leadership andentrepreneurship skills by engaging students in project-based learning, thereby preparing them toexcel in the ever-evolving domain of civil engineering.IntroductionEngineers reflect on their actions in the workplace, suggesting these skills are best learned indesign studios rather than classrooms [1, 2]. Project-Based Learning (PBL) is praised forfostering teamwork, problem-solving, and leadership within a student-controlled framework. Itoriginated in McMaster University's medical faculty 40 years ago and has since spread acrossvarious disciplines [3]. PBL features ill-structured, real-world problems, student-centered activelearning, small group work, facilitator
promoting pedagogicalchange and improving student writing. Here, we report on faculty participation and presence orabsence of pedagogical changes as basic metrics of program effectiveness. We also reflect onwhat types of changes are being made and which writing studies concepts have appeared to bemore difficult to take up and/or incorporate into STEM classes. In keeping with the iterative andintertwined TDAR approach, these results continually feed into our on-going interventions.Data collection and analysisCollected data include video- and audio-recording of mentoring sessions, course materials overthe course of mentoring, texts from workshops (e.g., field notes of discussions, free writingexercises, chalkboard writing), observations of classes
understanding of power, privilege, andoppression, and equip them with the tools to employ their knowledge as engineers throughdiscussions of inclusive design. Co-created and co-facilitated by faculty, teaching assistants, anddiversity, equity, and inclusion experts at the institution, the workshops feature short lectures bythe facilitators, individual reflection activities, and small group discussions, culminating in acommunity-wide discussion on lessons learned and actionable items to build an inclusivecommunity within our program. We seek to build our teaching assistants’ sense of agency in theclassroom by cultivating a positive self-concept, developing their understanding of sociopoliticalenvironments, and providing resources for action.To
between steps,essentially learning in “leaps.” Comics in relation are inherently tailored to sequential learners aseach panel within a comic follows a very specific order for the reader to follow along. Whilst it ispossible to grasp the big picture of a comic, much of the understanding and storytelling aspectsare done through the connections between panels.Sensing learners prefer learning facts and concepts as opposed to intuitive learners who preferabstract relationships and concepts. Finally, active learners prefer application of concepts learnedwhereas reflective learners ponder questions surrounding issues at hand. Essentially, activelearners like very hands-on work whilst reflective learners prefer thinking alone about the problemfirst
resources.In addition to fulfilling the course requirements for the STEM education Ph.D. curriculum, thisseries of meetings helps build community among the students and faculty members. It providesan opportunity to share insights and experiences while having faculty members present to helpguide processes and discussions. A goal is to create a strong foundation of collaboration that willtranscend the course and continue beyond its requirements. As students progress in theirrespective research, this course can provide a venue to continually give back to the program.This paper will provide a reflection on the experience of three STEM education Ph.D. studentswho participated in the redesigned seminar course. STEM education students who participated inthe
elements that included reflective activities, discussion of stakeholders and end-users, andevaluation of teamwork [4]. These were co-designed with the instructor and implementedthroughout the course’s series of four pair-based design projects.Knowledge-Building Communities in Engineering EducationCollaborative technologies and other means of supporting and assessing professional andacademic knowledge-building communities or communities of practice (CoPs) have been widelyexplored [10], [11], [12]. CoPs have also been explored in engineering education contexts, suchas for means of spreading assessment methods [13]. However, the impact of team formationstrategies on the spread of information through a knowledge-building community or classroomhas yet
be done through incorporating collaborative autoethnographic and Indigenousresearch methods to share the story of the program through the experiences of all those involved. Thesemethods position the participants as both coauthors and coresearchers in this work as we co-create thisnew program and new knowledge together. Participants will be asked to regularly reflect on theirexperiences within the program, their growth, and any conflicts or feelings that arise. These reflectionswill then be analyzed by the coauthors and coresearchers both for emerging themes and narrativestructures to inform the story-building process. Stories will be created for both the individual participantsand the program. One goal of this work is to develop the current
Boomer is a graduate student completing his master’s degree in aerospace engineering at the University of Michigan. His focus in engineering education research has been towards bridging the gap between the undergraduate engineering curriculum and engineering industry practice.Cindy Wheaton, University of MichiganDr. Aaron W. Johnson, University of Michigan Aaron W. Johnson (he/him) is an Assistant Professor in the Aerospace Engineering Department and a Core Faculty member of the Engineering Education Research Program at the University of Michigan. His lab’s design-based research focuses on how to re-contextualize engineering science engineering courses to better reflect and prepare students for the reality of ill-defined
, university programs inconstruction engineering must adapt to meet the current and future job market demands. Theresults will not only identify specific AI competencies deemed vital in the constructionindustry, per the perspectives of the interviewed professionals and experts, but also provideactionable insights into how these skills can be developed and integrated into the industry,enhancing project efficiency and quality. The analysis of semi-structured interviews withindustry experts reveals a labor market that highly values critical reflection, ethical principles,interpersonal and management skills, technical mastery in programming, data analysis,mastery of emerging technologies and construction-related software, English, andcybersecurity