, and ethos behind the structure. Lastly, this paper presents preliminary datafrom the first year of SWME, including both quantitative attendance and retention counts andqualitative focus group data. The authors intend for this paper to enable others at differentuniversities to create their own chapters of SWME and to spark conversation about the need fordiscipline-specific organizations to support women in engineering within universities.IntroductionIn recent years, the need to recruit and retain more women in engineering has becomeincreasingly apparent [1]. Women bring diverse perspectives and innovative solutions to the fieldthat are essential for advancing engineering as a whole [1]. Despite this need, specificdisciplines, such as
committed to applying thismethod at their college or university. The paper concludes with an exploration of future avenuesof this effort to transform higher educational engineering programs to build both theEntrepreneurial Mindset (EM); and enriching, resourcing, and enabling future engineeringstudents in the years to come.IntroductionIndustry Advisory Boards (IABs) have been a staple of engineering academic departments andprograms since nearly their inception [1]. With the advent of accreditation standards,particularly from ABET (formerly known as the Accreditation Board for Engineering andTechnology), IABs have become a core aspect for engineering programs to demonstrate that theyhave incorporated the voice of their “constituencies” to support
paper we describe thatsuch a safe and non-intimidating facility can be an excellent resource to support project-basedlearning in lecture courses.IntroductionStatics is a foundational course in the Mechanical Engineering undergraduate degree program. Itis offered as a lecture-based course at our university. While active learning methodologies [1]have been employed in the course, a project-based learning component was introduced in 2016to further enhance the student learning outcomes.The learning experience in the course includes foundational theory and problem-solving.Additionally, project-based learning (PBL) fosters collaboration and investigation while studentsthink about important questions on a subject [2]. In the professional life of an
bridgingtheory and practice. This paper argues that project-based approaches are more effective inembedding critical thinking skills in engineering students by introducing engineering-specificstages that reflect the practical and iterative nature of problem-solving. The practical engagementrequired by the taxonomy project better mirrors the problem-solving nature of engineering,making it a more suitable method for developing critical and innovative thinking.Keywords: Project-based Learning, Learning Environment, Humanities, EngineeringCurriculum, PedagogyIntroductionThinking is the systematic transformation of mental representations of knowledge to characterizeactual or possible states of the world, often in service of goals [1]. Mustafina suggests
projected togenerate over a trillion USD by 2030 [1]. To address this, companies are investigating andinvesting in workforce development. Heidelberg Instruments Nano aims to contribute to thiseffort by utilizing the NanoFrazor tool in nanofabrication related education modules. Byleveraging nanofabrication and imaging capabilities associated with thermal scanning probelithography (t-SPL), students can create and see nanostructures in real-time and within anhour of training.In collaboration with Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), Heidelberg Instruments Nanohas developed teaching materials for both classroom and laboratory settings. Such materialsinclude guided laboratory exercises, self-learning videos with accompanying quizzes, andlecture slides
evaluations are a very standard part of monitoring the efficacy of university instructorsand provide instructors with valuable feedback for improving their own performance and theexperience of students.1 The instruments to evaluate standard academic courses, however welldesigned and validated they may be for that task, do not typically serve well to evaluate how theadvisors of senior design (capstone) project teams perform their duties. Yet the same courseevaluation instrument is often applied to capstone project advisors by default, since capstone istypically listed and registered as an academic course.The idea of the modern capstone project largely emerged in the 1980’s, rapidly accelerating inadoption through the end of the millennium and reaching
continueworking productively instead of becoming frustrated. To support our findings, we provide astudent survey showing how students are integrating AI use in their studies.Finally, Mechanical Engineering (ME) has become increasingly multidisciplinary in nature,requiring students to address problem areas where they may have limited training or experience.We argue that AI has enabled students to tackle increasingly complex programming problemsand other projects more efficiently than was possible in previous years without the use of AI.IntroductionChatGPT, a generative artificial intelligence developed by OpenAI, was launched in 2022 [1–2].In the spring semester that followed, faculty discussions centered on its potential impact, thoughmany educators
connection within the educational domain [1-3]. In higher education, STEM programsexhibit higher dropout rates compared to other fields. It is well-documented that a student’sfirst year is pivotal in determining whether they persist in their STEM program andsuccessfully graduate or decide to leave [4-5].First-year students undergo an adaptation process to a new academic environment, wherethey encounter greater responsibilities and significantly increased academic demands [6-7].This transitional phase presents challenges that extend beyond academics to encompasspersonal and social dimensions. These challenges include managing time effectively,developing independent study habits, integrating into a new university community, andadapting to an
engineering students [1], [2], asthis new generation of engineers will need to solve multi-faceted, complex social, technical, andethical issues using interdisciplinary, collaborative, data-driven, and systematic approaches [3],[4].Background and Theoretical FrameworksTo solve these complex, ill-defined social problems, students must first learn the processes anddevelop frameworks for concepts and procedures behind solving well-defined technical problems[5]. One crucial component of problem-solving is metacognition, the process of reflecting onone’s own learning processes including planning, monitoring, and evaluating that learning [6],[7], [8]. Metacognition, commonly referred to as “thinking about thinking,” is essential forself-directed learning
version in terms of difficulty, engagement, and learning effectiveness.Implementation of curriculum improvements, anticipated steps for collecting and analyzing newfeedback, and possibilities for future research are also discussed.Keywords: Curriculum, Immersive Learning, Robotics Education, Virtual RealityIntroductionThe potential of VR as a cost-effective tool for applied robotics education has been increasinglyrecognized [1], [2]. While the cost of robotics technology has significantly decreased in recentyears [3], the expenses associated with industrial robots, including maintenance, supplementarycontrol systems, and considerable space requirements continue to present challenges foreducational institutions, particularly those with limited
the need for innovative discoveries increases in the US, there is a concomitant increased needfor postdoctoral researchers to contribute to advancing STEM [1, 2]. Postdoctoral scholarappointments have increasingly been considered informal requirements for research careers inthe industry, government, and non-profit sectors [3,4]. Further, many tenure-track faculty inSTEM fields were previously postdoctoral researchers [5]. Postdoctoral positions are commonlyviewed in academic and non-academic research-focused areas as an ideal environment forprofessional research training, skill development, and mentorship in preparation for a researchcareer. While the National Science Foundation-funded projects provided 90% of STEM postdocsin 2009, there was
. ©American Society for Engineering Education, 2025 WIP: College of Engineering Summer Transfer Student Jump StartIntroductionThis Work in Progress paper will describe the Transfer Student Summer Jump Start Program,which was designed to give engineering transfer students at California Polytechnic StateUniversity in San Luis Obispo a soft landing into their life at a public university in a small collegetown. “Transfer Shock” is a known phenomenon where many transfer students experience atemporary dip in their grades during their first few terms post transfer [1]. Just as transfer studentscan take a myriad of academic paths, their reasons for experiencing the shock may come frommultiple different factors
, Explainable AI(XAI). 1. Introduction and Related WorkRecent advancements in Artificial Intelligence are set to drive transformative changes acrossvarious domains, including healthcare [1], environmental sciences [2], business management [3],and most notably, education [4]. The keyways AI is being used in the field of education includepersonalized learning, Intelligent tutoring systems (ITS), optimizing administrative processes,and enhancing accessibility and engagement. By tailoring learning experiences to individualstudent needs, AI-powered systems have the potential to increase engagement, improveacademic performance, and provide more equitable access to education.Among the emerging AI-driven methodologies, Deep Knowledge Tracing (DKT) [9
traditional gender binary. Anational longitudinal study revealed that TGNC students persist in STEM majors at a rateapproximately 10% lower than their cisgender peers, despite similar academic ability andself-confidence [1]. Transgender students also reported lower expectations when presenting asfemale, while queer students experienced STEM as objective yet exclusionary of their identities[2]. In the engineering field, TGNC undergraduate students reported strong skills and communitysupport outside STEM, while emphasizing the need for cultural change and social justiceeducation in their disciplinary programs [3].Previous content analysis of gender-related articles published in the Journal of EngineeringEducation (JEE) from 1998 to 2012 indicated that
education are increasingly adopting innovativeteaching methodologies to bridge the gap between abstract theory and practical application.Traditional instructional strategies, such as lectures and problem sets, often fall short inadequately addressing challenges related to student application of abstract concepts, barriers toproviding robust computational training and bringing about demonstrated connections betweenthe theory learned to real-world applications. Prior studies have underscored the success ofinnovative tools to address and possibly remedy these issues. For instance, Mascaró [1]demonstrated the potential of interactive programming to reduce barriers to mastery of statisticalreasoning, while Fawcett [2] highlighted the use of R Shiny
enjoys re-imagining higher education with others, then making it happen. ©American Society for Engineering Education, 2025 Presence, Participation, and Pedagogy: Revisiting Face-to-Face Learning in Engineering Programs (Work-in-Progress)IntroductionExploring students' and faculty members’ views on the significance and role of face-to-facelearning environments is important for adopting teaching methodologies to today's diverseeducational needs. While the transition to online learning offered flexible and accessible methodsof learning, it also generated concerns about decreased engagement, community feel andbelonging that is naturally fostered in face-to-face learning environments [1]. A broad range
, and opportunity for all in fostering successful community partnershipsand addressing environmental issues such as biodegradation, solid waste management, andpollution prevention. Activities focused on complex social issues surrounding food insecurityand availability of healthy food in urban communities as well as successful citizen reentry fromprison into communities will also be discussed.IntroductionIn 2020, Bret Eynon and Jonathan Iuzzini published an ATD Teaching and Learning Toolkitwith Achieving the Dream [1] that presents a body of work that was developed from the NewLearning Compact Framework in 2019 by Every Learner Everywhere [2] with the intent offostering a culture of teaching and learning excellence designed to enhance student
computing requirements in machine learning and artificialintelligence highlights the importance of high-performance parallel computing (HPC). Manymodern AI systems require efficient algorithms that can take advantage of multi-core processors,multiple GPUs, and distributed systems [1-3].The convergence of data science with high-performance computing (HPC) and parallelismdevelopment is increasingly recognized as essential in both industry and academia. Therefore,both industry and academia are increasingly seeking professionals who are proficient in HPCprinciples and parallel development to address the challenges posed by massive data processing,machine learning, and AI [3-5].However, existing curriculum in academia often fails to provide a
figure 1 below where baseline information is capturedfor each student in terms of their study habits and strategies. This is followed by a branchingquestion where the student is asked whether they recall being given instruction (either in classor from a Canvas mini course) on strategies for staying focused and improving academicperformance. If the answer is affirmative, a set of additional questions collect data first on thestudents’ fundamental understanding of action-state orientation followed by another branchingquestion to collect more data on which of the strategies covered in the mini-course they haveimplemented in their daily lives. Figure 1: Survey opens with a question on study habits and strategies for each studentData PreprocessingThe
theprofessional development seminars. Preliminary survey results from the pilot groupdemonstrated that exposure to the experiential learning project in the program benefited thestudents’ understanding of engineering and positively impacted their confidence and interest indesign and fabrication. Based on the survey results, a path forward is discussed to improve thecurriculum for future offerings of the program. 1Introduction:STEM K-12 educational summer camp programs expose students to potential educational pathsthat they can pursue in higher education [1]. This exposure is proposed to be highly motivatingfor students, as it is designed to provide them with
engineering suggest thatstudents should be cognizant of and prepared to act upon these issues concerningmacroethics—the social responsibility of the engineering profession [1]. For example, ABETStudent Outcome 2 notes that students must develop an understanding of engineering designincluding “consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social,environmental, and economic factors.” [2]. Additionally, the American Institute for Aeronauticsand Astronautics’ Code of Ethics says that engineers are expected to “hold paramount the safety,health, and welfare of the public in the performance of their duties” [3]. These statements leavegreat latitude to the curriculum and the instructor in interpreting who counts as the
limits, trigonometry, and geometry during a STEM summer camp to middle schoolstudents, an audience not immediately targeted by the EVG itself. In VL, the player is immersedin a “3D environment where they must solve a series of increasingly challenging calculusproblems in order to stop the geomagnetic storms threatening their planet’s survival” (Thomas etal., 2017, see Figure 1 and Figure 2).Figure 1In-game Screenshot of Player Character Looking at SceneryFigure 2Example of a Puzzle From VLMethodsParticipants Participants were 30 middle school students that were a part of a university STEMsummer program. Participants played Variant: Limits on university-provided computers for aweek, for approximately an hour and thirty minutes every day in
tutoringremediation in mandatory undergraduate courses, specifically in Electrical and ComputerEngineering (ECE) degree programs. The research revealed a direct correlation between coursesthat utilize remediation services and student outcomes, highlighting the critical role theseservices play in shaping academic success. The ABM leverages this insight to provide instructorsand administrators with a predictive toolset that identifies the optimal number of assistantsneeded for specific courses. This approach takes a step further by providing data-driven supportto ensure informed decisions about resource allocation and optimized student success.As depicted in Fig. 1, the research involves developing an ABM to simulate a classroomenvironment with students and
Industrial Engineering and Operations Research from the Pennsylvania State University.Robin Neal Clayton, University of Washington ©American Society for Engineering Education, 2025 Enhancing Engineering Faculty Implementation of Inclusive Pedagogy through an Inclusive Excellence Faculty Development ProgramIntroductionWhile the framework of culturally relevant pedagogy was originally developed 30 years ago [1],there has been a growing momentum in recent years to adopt inclusive and equitable teachingpractices in higher education [2], [3]. This shift is driven by the increasing diversity of studentpopulations, including those from historically marginalized identities, enrolling in highereducation
(CEBOK3) was published in 2019 [1]. Much like the prior versions ofthe CEBOK, the Third Edition made significant positive impacts on the profession of civilengineering as it outlines foundational, technical, and professional practice learning outcomes forindividuals entering into responsible charge in the practice of civil engineering. CEBOK sets thedirection for curriculum development and professional practice and sets an expectation forlifelong learning. As part of a pre-established timeline, ASCE has launched the CivilEngineering Body of Knowledge Task Committee, Fourth Edition (CEBOK4TC).The following charge was presented to the CEBOK4TC by the ASCE Committee on Educationleadership: ● Critically review published literature regarding the
students’ EM three Cs, and students’ increased appreciation of multiculturalism through in-person cultural immersion experiences.Introduction s engineering demand rises and globalization intensifies, fostering multiculturalism is vital forAglobal solutions. Transformative learning theory (TLT), developed by Dr. Jack Mezirow in the 1970s, explains how adult learners shift perspectives when confronted with challenging experiences[1,2]. While TLT guides culturally responsive teaching in international teacher training, it remains underutilized in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) contexts [1]. This research study explores the impact of international experiences on the development
positive role insupporting the personal and intellectual growth of students [1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6], [7]. Manyuniversities actively implement formal mentorship programs to enhance the development of bothgraduate and undergraduate students [8], [9], [10]. There is less research examining howgraduate mentoring programs might facilitate collaborative, professional, and academic cultureamong engineering students. Two questions now arise:1) What is “culture” in this academicsetting and 2) Why is it important to influence these cultures among engineering students? A succinct definition of “culture” as it applies in the academic setting may be found in theMerriam-Webster Dictionary, which states that culture is “the set of values
entire neurodivergentcommunity.In the LGBTQIA+ community, the acronym stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender,Queer/Questioning, Intersex, and Asexual/Agender/Aromantic. The “+” is included to representthe many other identities within this community, including but not limited to: two-spirit,nonbinary, pansexual, and genderfluid.1.2 MotivationThe challenges faced by neurodivergent people (ableism, lack of support in meeting needs,accessibility challenges, etc.) and the challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ people (homophobia,transphobia, compulsory heterosexuality, etc.) are all faced by neuroqueer individuals; by virtueof their intersectional sociopolitical identity, neuroqueer people experience the cumulativeeffects of these challenges [1
students at academic institutions. Space is required formentorship that supports students emotionally. Findings and implications are discussed further.IntroductionMentorship has long been considered one of the cornerstones of personal and professionaldevelopment, from the arts to the sciences [1]. Within higher education, mentorship can be bothformal and informal in nature, encompassing everything from faculty-student relationships andworkplace mentoring programs to familial or peer connections. These relationships provideemotional support, practical guidance, and role modeling that influence growth and success [2].By addressing the diverse needs of mentees, mentorship serves as a critical tool to navigatechallenges, cultivate resilience, and
Student Teaching: The Cultivation of Teaching Skills and Identity among Graduate StudentsAbstractThis study investigates the development of Graduate Teaching Assistants' (GTAs') teachingidentity through professional development (PD) activities and hands-on teaching experiences.While previous research has predominantly focused on how PD programs enhance teachingpractices [1], less attention has been paid to their impact on the formation of a cohesive teachingidentity.Understanding the evolution of GTAs' teaching identities is crucial for creating PD programs thatcan support them and enhance their teaching effectiveness. This research addresses these issues byexploring how structured PD programs, such as pre-semester workshops, and