Conference Session

New Developments in Teaching Electromagnetics and Related Topics

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Madeleine Andrawis, South Dakota State University

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

technology, and other related topics. Over her career at SDSU, Dr. Andrawis served in many leadership roles through task forces, committees, and programs. She also served as Chair of the Academic Senate for the 2007/2008 academic year and has served on its Executive Committee for four years. Page 22.1606.1 c American Society for Engineering Education, 2011 Using Active Learning in Teaching ElectromagneticsIntroduction“Learning is not a spectator sport. Students do not learn much just by sitting in classes listeningto teachers, memorizing pre-packaged assignments, and spitting out answers

Conference Session

Teaching Dynamics

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

David R. Mikesell, Ohio Northern University; John-David S. Yoder, Ohio Northern University

Tagged Divisions

Mechanics

AC 2011-615: TEACHING DYNAMICS WITH A DESIGN PROJECTSDavid R. Mikesell, Ohio Northern University David R. Mikesell is an assistant professor of mechanical engineering at Ohio Northern University. His research interests are in land vehicle dynamics, autonomous vehicles, and robotics. He joined the faculty in 2007 after work in automotive engineering at Ohio State (MS 2006, PhD 2008), six years designing automated assembly machines and metal-cutting tools for Grob Systems, and four years’ service as an officer in the U.S. Navy. He holds bachelor degrees in German (Duke 1986) and Mechanical Engineering (ONU 1997).John-David S Yoder, Ohio Northern University John-David Yoder received all of his degrees (B.S., M.S

Conference Session

Biological & Agricultural Technical Session II

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Frankie Santos Laanan, Iowa State University; Balaji Narasimhan, Iowa State University; Monica H. Lamm, Iowa State University; Carlos Lopez, Iowa State University ; Dimitra Lynette Jackson, Iowa State University

Tagged Divisions

Biological & Agricultural

biology, chemistry and engineering. In fact, biology has become as much of anenabling science for chemical engineering as mathematics, physics, and chemistry. This newparadigm shift in the engineering field demands that undergraduate students should be exposedto biological engineering at an early stage of their career via research and discovery experiences.This will provide them with a better understanding about the importance of interdisciplinaryresearch and science innovation.There is a need for an increase in the representation of individuals in the areas of chemical andbiological engineering. In this ever-increasing technology-driven and globalized society, we needmore individuals who are trained in interdisciplinary sciences to address

Conference Session

Great Ideas for Projects that Teach Instrumentation

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

David R. Loker, Pennsylvania State University, Erie; Robert Weissbach, Pennsylvania State University, Erie; Adam Henry, Pennsylvania State University

Tagged Divisions

Instrumentation

AC 2011-1607: CONVEYOR CONTROL SYSTEM PROJECTDavid R. Loker, Pennsylvania State University, Erie David R. Loker received the M.S.E.E. degree from Syracuse University in 1986. In 1984, he joined General Electric (GE) Company, AESD, as a design engineer. In 1988, he joined the faculty at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College. In 2007, he became the Chair of the Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology Program. His research interests include wireless sensor networks, data acquisition systems, and communications systems.Robert Weissbach, Pennsylvania State University, Erie Robert Weissbach is currently an associate professor of engineering and incoming director of the Ap- plied Energy Research Center at Penn

Conference Session

International Experience, Effective Instruction, and Student Exchange Programs

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Waddah Akili, Iowa State University

Tagged Divisions

International

. Springer, L., M. Stanne, and S. Donavan, “Effects of Small-Group Learning on Undergraduates in Science, Mathematics, Engineering, and Technology: A Meta-Analysis,” Review of Educational Research, vol.69, no.1, 1999, pp.21-52.14. Wankat, P.H., “Reflective Analysis of Student Learning in a Sophomore Engineering Course,” Journal of Engineering Education, vol.88, no.2, April, 1999, pp.195-20315. McLeod, A., “Discovery and Facilitating Deep Learning States,” National Teaching and Learning Forum, Vol.5, no.6, 1996, pp.1-7 Page 22.312.13

Conference Session

Female Faculty, Learning, NSF, and ABET Issues at Two-Year Colleges

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

David A. Koonce, Ohio University; Valerie Martin Conley, Ohio University; Dyah A. Hening, Ohio University; Cynthia D. Anderson, Ohio University

Tagged Divisions

Two Year College Division

looks at gender and the highest degree obtained.BackgroundSTEM definitionThere is no standard definition of STEM. Scholars define STEM from different perspectives, fordifferent purposes and by using different (or no) coding schemes. Broadly, STEM is classified byeither education or occupational definitions. Through meta-analysis, we created a standardizeddefinition of STEM that combines education and occupational definitions with NSOPF codes5.Educational DefinitionsMost scholars focus on STEM as an academic discipline. Some use the broad categories ofScience, Technology, Engineering and Math, while others define specific CIP codes. Despite thegranularity of the definition, some disciplines are consistently defined as STEM. Using simplefrequency

Conference Session

Students' Abilities and Attitudes

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

John R. Reisel, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee; Leah Rineck; Marissa Jablonski, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee; Ethan V Munson, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee; Hossein Hosseini, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee

Tagged Divisions

Mathematics

factors were considered with regards to the students’ success in the bridgeprogram. These factors resulted in some changes which were implemented in the 2010 summerbridge program. The 2010 program saw a larger percentage of students improve their mathcourse placement, with 83% of the students improving their math placement in 2010 vs. 68% in2009. These factors are discussed as well.IntroductionIn the United States today, there is great interest in the education and graduation of morestudents in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines.1,2There are two primary tasks that are needed for this goal to be accomplished. First, morestudents need to be attracted to pursue college-level studies in the STEM fields. Second

Conference Session

New Trends in ECE Education

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Paul G. Flikkema, Northern Arizona University; Kenji Ryan Yamamoto, Northern Arizona University; Carol Haden, Magnolia Consulting, LLC; Jeff Frolik, University of Vermont; Tom Weller, University of South Florida

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

design layers from high-level abstractions to low-level implementation,and (iii) reveal the relationships that couple seemingly disconnected models. Two aspects arecritical: modeling and context; context may be broad, including human, societal, andenvironmental impacts.Our interest in systems thinking is driven in part by our motivation to help engineering studentsdevelop the skills that will be critical to the pressing technological challenges of this century.While it is widely recognized that the engineering graduates of today and the future should havebetter systems thinking skills, the challenge of inculcating those skills remains. In this paper, wedescribe an attempt to do this within the constraints of an embedded systems course that

Conference Session

Best of Computers in Education Division

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Carole E. Goodson, University of Houston; Susan L. Miertschin, University of Houston; Barbara L. Stewart, University of Houston

Tagged Divisions

Computers in Education

AC 2011-718: DISTANCE DELIVERY OF COURSES: WHAT COMPO-NENTS ARE IMPORTANT TO STUDENTS?Carole E. Goodson, University of Houston (CoT) Carole Goodson is a Professor of Technology at the University of Houston. As an active member of ASEE, she is a member of the Academy of Fellows, a past Editor of the Journal of Engineering Technology, a past Chair of PIC IV and the ERM Division, and a past Chair of the Gulf Southwest Section of ASEE.Prof. Susan L. Miertschin, University of Houston (CoT)Barbara L. Stewart, University of Houston Dr. Barbara L. Stewart, CFCS, is a Professor at the University of Houston. Formerly she held positions as Chair of the Department of Human Development and Consumer Sciences and Associate Dean of the

Conference Session

Computers in Education Poster Session

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Norman Moses Joseph, Purdue University; David M. Whittinghill, Purdue University, West Lafayette; Kathleen C. Howell, Purdue University, West Lafayette; David William Braun, Purdue University

Tagged Divisions

Computers in Education

AC 2011-2064: WORK-IN-PROGRESS: 3D STEREOSCOPIC VISUALIZA-TION AS A TOOL FOR TEACHING ASTRONOMY CONCEPTSNorman Joseph, Purdue University Graduate Student, Computer Graphics Technology, Purdue UniversityDavid M Whittinghill, Purdue University, West LafayetteKathleen C. Howell, Purdue University, West Lafayette Professor Howell is the Hsu Lo Professor of Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering at Purdue Uni- versity. Besides an active research program in Astrodynamics involving spacecraft mission planning and maneuver design, she teaches Orbital Mechanics and Attitude Dynamics for spacecraft applications.David William Braun, Purdue University

Conference Session

Teaching Circuit Theory and Electronics

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Daren Reed Wilcox, Southern Polytechnic State University; Gerd Walter Wöstenkühler, University of Applied Sciences, Hochschule Harz

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

AC 2011-801: A NEW PEDAGOGY FOR THE ELECTRONICS LABORA-TORYDaren Reed Wilcox, Southern Polytechnic State UniversityGerd Walter Wstenkhler, Hochschule Harz (University of Applied Sciences) Page 22.79.1 c American Society for Engineering Education, 2011 A New Pedagogy for the Electronics LaboratoryIntroductionFor decades, laboratory instruction of electronic circuits and devices has been centered onstandard plastic dual-in-line (PDIP) components and integrated circuits such as the uA741operational amplifier inserted in a breadboard for testing. Prior to this method many engineeringprograms used circuit board trainers

Conference Session

Manufacturing Poster Session

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

R. Radharamanan, Mercer University

Tagged Divisions

Manufacturing

AC 2011-2913: DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF A 3D PRINTER WITHRECYCLING SYSTEMR. Radharamanan, Mercer University Dr. R. Radharamanan is currently working as Professor of Industrial Engineering and Director of Mercer Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (MCIE) at Mercer University in Macon, Georgia. He has thirty eight years of teaching, research, and consulting experiences. His previous administrative experi- ences include: President of International Society for Productivity Enhancement (ISPE), Acting Director of Industrial Engineering as well as Director of Advanced Manufacturing Center at Marquette University, and Research Director of CAM and Robotics Center at San Diego State University. His primary research

Conference Session

Sustainable Energy Education

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Robert Chasnov, Cedarville University

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

AC 2011-114: CUTTING AWAY FROM THE POWER GRIDRobert Chasnov and Mark Gathany, Cedarville University Bob is a Professor of Engineering and has been presenting the need for his mechanical engineering stu- dents to understand climate change. Mark is an Assistant Professor of Biology and heads the Environ- mental Science program at Cedarville. Page 22.414.1 c American Society for Engineering Education, 2011 Cutting Away From the Power GridAbstractOne of the course objectives for the junior-level Thermodynamics course being taught to ourmechanical engineering (ME) majors

Conference Session

Aerospace Teaching and Learning II

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Praveen Shankar, Arizona State University; Jenefer Husman, Arizona State University; Valana L. Wells, Arizona State University; Wen-Ting Chung, Arizona State University

Tagged Divisions

Aerospace

flight simulator for education and research”, AIAA Modeling and Simulation Technologies Conference and Exhibit, 2002, Monterey, CA9. Rogalski, T., Tomczyk, A., Kopecki, G., “Flight simulator as a tool for flight control system synthesis and handling qualities research”, Solid State Phenomena, 2009, 147, 231-23610. Tomczyk, A., “The flying laboratory for aeronautics students’ education”, Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, 2010, 82(5), pp 320-33011. Frasca International, Inc., “Frasca CRJ: Regional jet flight training device”, www.frasca.com/pdf/CRJbrochure.pdf12. Hoak, D. E., et al., "The USAF Stability and Control DATCOM," Air Force Wright Aeronautical Laboratories

Conference Session

ECE Division Poster Session

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Nuri Yilmazer, Texas A&M University, Kingsville; Muhittin Yilmaz, Texas A&M University, Kingsville; Remzi Seker, University of Arkansas, Little Rock

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

include adaptive array processing, signal processing, and smart antennas.MUHITTIN YILMAZ, Texas A&M University-Kingsville (TAMUK)Remzi Seker, University of Arkansas at Little Rock Dr. Remzi Seker received his PhD degree in Computer Engineering from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in December 2002. His research areas are security and safety-critical computer systems. Dr. Seker, as a researcher, focuses on protection mechanisms from the asymmetric threats that arise from rapid, yet necessary use of technology. He is co-author of one of the very first papers that was published on Mobile Phishing and possible techniques for preventing it. Aside from professional research and scholarly efforts, Dr. Seker

Conference Session

New Trends in ECE Education

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Farzad Pourboghrat, Southern Illinois University; Narayanan Ramachandran, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale; Aishwarya Vasu, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale; Arjun Shekar Sadahalli, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale; Prashanthi Banala, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale; Giampiero Campa, MathWorks

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Southern Illinois University Carbondale. She is currently a PhD student at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. She is a Research assistant at Embedded Controls and Systems Laboratory at SIUC. She is also a Research assistant at Materials Technology Center, SIUC. Her research interests include Real time programming of control systems and Real time operating/Embedded Systems.Arjun Shekar Sadahalli, Southern Illinois University Carbondale Arjun Shekar Sadahalli is a graduate student currently pursuing his Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. He received his Bachelors degree in Electronics and Communication from

Conference Session

Aerospace Curriculum and Collaborations

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Valana L. Wells, Arizona State University; Jenefer Husman, Arizona State University; Praveen Shankar, Arizona State University; Wen-Ting Chung, Arizona State University

Tagged Divisions

Aerospace

, 2007.[11] Bandura, A., “Guide for constructing self-efficacy scales,” in F. Pajares and T. Urdan (ed.), Adolescence andeducation, Vol. 5, pp. 307-337. Greenwich, CT: Information Age.[12] Pintrich, P. R., Smith, D., Garcia, T. and Mckeachie, W., “Reliability and Predictive Validity of the MotivatedStrategies for Learning Questionnaire (Mslq)”, Educational and Psychological Measurement, Vol. 53, No. 3, 1993.[13] Yasar, S., Discourse in freshman engineering teams: The relationship between verbal persuasions, self-efficacyand achievement. (Ph.D. dissertation), 2008.[14] Yasar, S., Robinson-Kurpius, S., Baker, D., Roberts, C. and Krause, S., “An intervention to address genderissues in a course on design, engineering and technology for science

Conference Session

Computers in Education General Technical Session I

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Erik Cheever, Swarthmore College; Ames Bielenberg, Swarthmore College

Tagged Divisions

Computers in Education

information. For example, using an internet search engine such Page 22.1535.2as Google is a good way to get information, but it does not put the information in any kind ofcontext for understanding. Semantic web technology has been developed to alleviate thisproblem by allowing computers to attach meaning to information. Tim Berners-Lee defines thesemantic web as “a web of data that can be processed directly and indirectly by machines” [3]. Itshould be possible to use this machine-accessible “meaning” to develop computer-based systemsthat can help a student move from remembering to understanding.Several technologies have been developed to exploit the

Conference Session

Assessment Instruments

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Robert Gerlick, Pittsburg State University; Denny C. Davis, Washington State University; Michael S. Trevisan, Washington State University; Shane A. Brown, Washington State University

Tagged Divisions

Educational Research and Methods

AC 2011-907: ESTABLISHING INTER-RATER AGREEMENT FOR TIDEE’STEAMWORK AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ASSESSMENTSRobert Gerlick, Pittsburg State University Dr. Robert Gerlick is Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering Technology at Pittsburg State Uni- versity.Denny C. Davis, Washington State University Dr. Davis is Professor of Bioengineering and Director of the Engineering Education Research Center at Washington State University. He has led numerous multidisciplinary research projects to enhance engi- neering education. He currently leads projects creating and testing assessments and curriculum materials for engineering design and professional skills, especially for use in capstone engineering design courses

Conference Session

Innovative Instructional Strategies and Curricula in ECE I

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

MaryPat Beaufait; Duyun Chen, University of Pennsylvania; Carl B Dietrich P.E., Virginia Tech; Cecile Dietrich; Garrett Michael Vanhoy, University of Arizona

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

Page 22.1548.2undergraduate research experiences and mentoring.The three student coauthors participated in a research program related to cognitive radio, whichintegrates multiple enabling technologies, including software defined radio, itself a broadinterdisciplinary area. The research program included orientation to wireless communications ingeneral and cognitive and software defined radio communications in particular. It also featuredan intensive orientation to university research, professional practices, and graduate education, aswell as work in close-knit engineering teams with colleagues from diverse backgrounds andengineering disciplines.The coauthors who participated in the program describe their collaborative process andexperience in

Conference Session

NSF Grantees Poster Session

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Jianyu Liang, Worcester Polytechnic Institute; Terri A. Camesano, Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Tagged Topics

NSF Grantees

student’s achievement and attitude changes resulting from a laboratory and non-laboratory approach to general education physical science courses. 1972, University of Northern Colorado. 9. Foundataion, N.S., Shaping the future: New expectations for undergraduate education in science, mathematics, engineering, and technology, NSF 96-139. 1996, Arlington, VA: National Science Foundation. 10. Reinventing Undergraduate Education: A Blueprint for America's Research Universities. 1998, Stonybrook, NY: The Boyer Commission on Educating Undergraduates in the Research University, The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. 11. Taraban, R., et al., Effects of active-learning experiences

Conference Session

Pedagogical Innovations in Laboratory Education

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Roger A. Beardsley, Central Washington University; Charles O. Pringle, Central Washington University

Tagged Divisions

Division Experimentation & Lab-Oriented Studies

AC 2011-838: MACHINE DESIGN LAB: USING AUTOMOTIVE TRANS-MISSION EXAMPLES TO REINFORCE UNDERSTANDING OF GEARTRAIN ANALYSISRoger A Beardsley, Central Washington University Roger Beardsley is an Assistant Professor in the Mechanical Engineering Technology program at Central Washington University in Ellensburg, WA. He teaches courses in energy related topics (thermodynamics, fluids & heat transfer), along with the second course in the undergraduate sequence in mechanical de- sign. Some of his technical interests include renewable energy, appropriate technology and related design issues.Charles O. Pringle, Central Washington University Charles Pringle is an Assistant Professor in the Mechanical Engineering Technology

Conference Session

NSF Grantees Poster Session

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Jianyu Dong, California State University, Los Angeles; Huiping Guo, California State University, Los Angeles

Tagged Topics

NSF Grantees

-basedlearning is presented. Preliminary assessment results are included to show the impact of thecurriculum revision.IntroductionHands-on design and implementation is one of the essential skills that have been recognized notonly by the engineering education community and ABET, but also by industry that employsgraduates from engineering and computer science programs. In the computer networking area,the industry advisors in College of Engineering, Computer Science and Technology (ECST) atCalifornia State University Los Angeles expressed a strong needs of qualified networking Page 22.611.2engineers who not only have a solid understanding of theoretical

Conference Session

ECE Division Poster Session

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Nader Rafla, Boise State University

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

processing. In January, 1997, He joined the newly developed electrical and computer engineering program at Boise State University where he is currently an Associate professor and chair of the Electrical Engineering Department. He led the development and starting of the MS of Computer Engineering; He taught several courses and supervised numerous MS thesis and Senior Design Projects. He also has conducted research and consulted in R&D for Micron Technology, Hewlett Packard and others. Dr. Rafla’s area of expertise is systems on a programmable chip and embedded & microprocessor-based system design; Evolvable and self-reconfigurable systems; and implementation and hardware architec- tures of digital image and

Conference Session

Effective Projects and Experiments in Instrumentation and Control

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Mohamad A. Mustafa, Savannah State University; Asad Yousuf, Savannah State University; Jeff Kesling

Tagged Divisions

Instrumentation

AC 2011-1376: SMART RODMohamad A. Mustafa, Savannah State University Mohamad Mustafa is a Professor of Civil Engineering Technology at Savannah State University (SSU). He has six years of industrial experience prior to teaching at SSU. He received his BS, MS, and PhD in Civil Engineering from Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan. Research Interest is: Sensors Applications in Civil Engineering.Asad Yousuf, Savannah State UniversityJeff Kesling Page 22.1302.1 c American Society for Engineering Education, 2011 SMART RODAbstractThe application

Conference Session

K-12 Students and Teachers

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Micah S. Stohlmann, University of Minnesota; Tamara J. Moore, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities; Young Rae Kim, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities; Mi Sun Park, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities; Gillian Roehrig, University of Minnesota

Tagged Divisions

Educational Research and Methods

understanding of students’problem solving procedures and being able to identify student misconceptions and differentSTEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) constructs.I. IntroductionHow to best prepare engineers to be successful from the start in the workforce is an importantquestion. One important way to prepare students to be engineers is with real world engineeringproblems. This is vital because there is a need for students to become more interested in STEM(Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields in part because there has been aconstant amount of students finishing degrees in STEM fields in the last fifteen years but thenumber of jobs in STEM fields has grown.1 Keeping students interested in STEM throughout K-16 is

Conference Session

Teaching Analog and Digital Communication: Novel Ideas for Lecture Courses, Laboratories, and Projects

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Alexander M. Wyglinski, Worcester Polytechnic Institute; Daniel J. Cullen

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

capable of controlling software-defined radioplatforms for “over-the-air” transmissions.IntroductionModern society is increasingly becoming dependent on digital communication systems in orderto function properly, with a growing number of applications relying on these devices, e.g.,personal health/body networks, defense/homeland security, navigation/localization, socialnetworking, vehicular transportation. In order to provide electrical and computer engineering(ECE) undergraduate students with a solid foundation in digital communication theory whilesimultaneously enabling them to synthesize several fundamental concepts taught in class with thelatest communication systems technology, an ECE undergraduate course was proposed,developed and instructed

Conference Session

FPD VIII: Crossing Bridges and Easing Transitions into the First Year

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Bernard White, George Mason University; Eileen Patricia Mazzone, George Mason University; Vicki L. Dominick, George Mason University

Tagged Divisions

First-Year Programs

of the VA-NC LSAMP Program is to increase the number ofunderrepresented minority students who earn degrees in science, technology, engineering, and Page 22.193.2mathematics (STEM) majors. Additionally, the program aims to ensure that the majority of thesegraduates are well prepared to pursue graduate studies in STEM programs.Tester10 and others provide a summary of the “best practices” employed by engineeringeducators with respect to improving retention of undergraduate engineering students in general,with a special focus on strategies for retaining and graduating students who are fromunderrepresented population groups in engineering. The

Conference Session

Simulation

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Robert L. Avanzato, Pennsylvania State University, Abington

Tagged Divisions

Computers in Education

AC 2011-2011: MOBILE ROBOT SIMULATION IN A VIRTUAL WORLDRobert L. Avanzato, Pennsylvania State University, Abington Bob Avanzato is an associate professor of engineering at the Penn State Abington campus. His research interests include mobile robotics, intelligent systems, and innovative education. Page 22.1069.1 c American Society for Engineering Education, 2011 Mobile Robot Simulation in a Virtual WorldSecond Life virtual world offers 3D modeling tools, scripting support, and a physicsengine which provide a platform to develop mobile robot simulations and interactiveeducational

Conference Session

Issues and Answers in Mathematics Education

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Peter J. Sherman, Iowa State University

Tagged Divisions

Mathematics

with manyuniversity-level educators, and, in turn, stimulate education researchers to re-evaluate thepotential of current STEM initiatives to reverse the declining trend in STEM education in theU.S.A.1. IntroductionThe needs related to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education in theUSA are many. A well-recognized need is for more K-12 students to pursue STEM disciplines atthe university level. It is the acknowledgement of this need that is central to the various STEMinitiatives at the National Science Foundation (NSF), as well as other funding agencies. Thereare a wide variety of reasons responsible for the increased lack of interest in STEM subjectsamong younger (K-12) students. Based on the proposals that were funded