Paper ID #18212An Active Learning Environment to Improve First-Year Mechanical Engi-neering Retention Rates and Software SkillsBenjamin B. Wheatley, Colarado State University Benjamin Brandt Wheatley was awarded a B.Sc. degree in Engineering from Trinity College (Hartford, CT, USA) in 2011. He spent one year in industry at a biomedical device company before returning to graduate school. He is a doctoral candidate in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Colorado State University (Fort Collins, CO, USA). His engineering education areas of interest include cultural competency, active learning approaches as they
of Global Engineering & Technology, Southco Inc.16. Thomas, A., “Encouraging students in the STEM classroom through Making,” Maker Education, edutopia, September 7, 2012. http://www.edutopia.org/17. Kirk, B. J., “STEM graduation rates show uphill battle with math and science in School District,” December 5, 2011. http://technical.ly/philly/series/state-of-stem18. Landivar, L. C., “Disparities in STEM employment by sex, race, and Hispanic origin,” United States Census Bureau, Report ACS-24, September 2013.19. Rotherham, A. J., “The next great resource shortage: U.S. scientists,” Time Magazine, May 26, 2011. http://content.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,2074024,00.html20. “Talking points: museums, libraries, and
exploring communication, design, and identity in engineering. Drawing on theories of situated learning and identity development, her work includes studies on the teaching and learning of communication, effective teaching practices in design education, the effects of differing design pedagogies on retention and motivation, the dynamics of cross-disciplinary collaboration in both academic and industry design environments, and gender and identity in engineering.Dr. Daria A Kotys-Schwartz, University of Colorado Boulder Daria Kotys-Schwartz is the Director of the Idea Forge—a flexible, cross-disciplinary design space at University of Colorado Boulder. She is also the Design Center Colorado Director of Undergraduate Pro
, Hispanics,and females of all races) at the University of Maryland, including a summer bridge program,mentoring program, and engineering specific living learning communities. Importantimplications about program design drawn from the longitudinal evaluation of these retentionprograms will be discussed.The Successful Engineering Education and Development Support ProgramThe Successful Engineering Education and Development Support (SEEDS) Program iscomprised of several multifaceted retention programs within the A. James Clark School ofEngineering at the University of Maryland. Funded through a grant from the National ScienceFoundation (DUE #0969232), the SEEDS program was piloted in 2010 and fully implemented in2011. The goals of the SEEDS program
agencies. These projects resulted in a patent in bioenergy (US Patent: US20146657327). Now, in her role as chief research officer, Dr. Bullard-Dillard has brought that resource network to the task of research infrastructure building for UNCP. Dr. Bullard-Dillard has been recognized through her Outstanding Alumni Award from North Carolina State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, her South Carolina Governor’s Award for Excellence in Scientific Awareness and her South Carolina Independent Colleges and University’s Excellence in Teaching Award among others. She is deeply committed to her work in education and research to assure that the United States’ scientific community continues to lead the world in