Paper ID #48256Work-in-Progress: An Analysis of the Effect of Mechanical and AerospaceEngineering Students’ Learning Experiences on Career PathwaysLani McGuire, The Ohio State University Lani McGuire is a first-year PhD student in Engineering Education at the Ohio State University. His research interests lie in exploring undergraduate and pre-college engineering student opportunities and experiences.Dr. Benjamin Ahn, The Ohio State University Dr. Benjamin Ahn is an Associate Professor at The Ohio State University in the Department of Engineering Education. ©American Society for Engineering
Paper ID #48860”Student Paper” Aerospace Ambassadors: The Impact of UndergraduateEngineering Outreach in Inspiring K-12 Students to Pursue Careers in STEMMr. Alex Richard Duffy, The Pennsylvania State University Alex Duffy is a current undergraduate student majoring in Aerospace Engineering at Penn State University. His research involves the creation of custom LEGO models that showcase vertical flight fundamentals. These models are used in educational demonstrations to inspire young students to become interested in engineering.Edward C. Smith, Pennsylvania State UniversityMiss Sarah Danielle Bock, Pennsylvania State
Purdue University, West Lafayette IRB # 2024-143 Minnesota State University, Mankato IRB # 2177147Abstract Lack of awareness of aviation careers among younger generations and the continued maledominance of the aviation and aerospace industries have contributed to a complex workforceshortage. The lack of female representation at top decision-making positions (e.g. C-suiteholders), creates a dearth of role models for younger women interested in aviation and aerospaceprofessions, which may discourage them from pursuing careers in this field. By revitalizinginterest in aviation among the younger generation and embracing diversity, the
framework for a freshman-level aviation course thatnot only connects the history of aviation and principles of flight to traditional fields, but alsoexposes students to a wider spectrum of career paths and emerging trends in aviation. In addition to historical milestones, the proposed course will introduce students to keysectors of the aviation industry such as airline operations, airport management, aircraftmaintenance, aviation consultancies, and uncrewed aerial systems (UAS). The curriculum willemphasize on understanding the interconnectedness of these fields, illustrating how theycontribute to the overall aviation ecosystem. Emerging technologies, including Advanced AirMobility (AAM), Artificial Intelligence (AI) in aviation, and
response to noted gapsin early career engineers’ skillsets, documented for over two decades. At the same time, asadvisory boards saw improved representation from local industry leaders, individual institutionsaligned engineering program learning outcomes and curricula to address early career skill gaps inteam-based projects, improve multicultural fluency, and produce technical writing that isappropriate for supervisors, clients, subject matter experts, and community members.Historical changes to engineering communicationIn the last twenty years, expectations for improved Engineering Communication (EC) have risenas a consequence of the need for increased technological literacy, as reported by the NationalAcademy of Engineers and the National
experience a true work environment before being thrust intothe workforce after graduation. A three-week virtual summer research internship (SRI) programwas offered in Summer 2021 to students at Texas A&M University-Kingsville and its nearbyuniversities and community colleges. The SRI program is designed as a mini-internship to provideacademic, professional, and career preparation to SRI participants. A total of 19 students wereselected as SRI participants in Summer 2021, who were divided into four teams. Four graduatestudents with research experience were selected as “SRI fellows” in the SRI program to assistfaculty advisors to provide research and career guidance to SRI participants. So, each teamcomprised five SRI participants, one SRI fellow
University of Alaska Fairbanks (’99). As part of his joint appointment with UAF’s College of Engineering & Mines and Geophysical Institute, Dr Hatfield teaches courses in electrical and aerospace engineering, conducts UAS research in support of ACUASI, and participates in STEM outreach activities. In addition, Dr Hatfield administers UAF’s Aerospace Engineering Programs and serves as faculty advisor for the university’s student chapter of the American Institute of Aeronautics & Astronautics. Prior to joining UAF in 2013, Dr Hatfield was a US Air Force officer where he served in numerous capacities over a 28-year career. Dr Hatfield’s assignments included 2 tours teaching at the USAF Academy (Department of
participant who did not submit a post-survey. Figure 4. Pre/Post Survey Results for Career InterestsThe results seen in Figure 5 below display the answers to the second Likert Scale question in thepre- and post-surveys that asked students about their outlook on the limitations and career desiresassociated with pursuing a degree in aerospace engineering. This data reveals that the hydrofoilboat activity did not significantly change students’ perspectives on if an aerospace engineer’sintended career pursuit lies within the aeronautics/space sectors (red bar). However, the datareveals a shift from 32.5% (pre-survey) to 51±3% (post-survey) of students that agreed thataerospace engineering is more limiting than other engineering fields
senior faculty memberin the college of engineering. The student’s long-term career goal is to become an aerospaceengineer and work for a major national organization. The student undertook this study during thesummer between her junior and senior years of high school and continued into the following fallsemester while attending school full-time. She initially reached out to the faculty member andinquired about the possibility of doing research at the professor’s laboratory. Her motivation wasto design an engineering product that would provide an alternative solution to the existing lunarrover design concepts. She also wanted to learn the research process so she could prepare herselffor more advanced opportunities in the future. The student helped
) operators.b) Goal #2: Initiate and conduct robust outreach regarding careers in commercial aviation as a professional aircraft pilot or unmanned system operator, including outreach to populations that are underrepresented in the aviation industry.Figure 1. Overview of the Proposed Project 2Objectives and ApproachThe proposed self-sustaining and affordable curriculum is designed to be implemented at highschools with an overall idea of preparing students to become aircraft and/or UAS operators. Toeffectively achieve the primary goals of the framework, the project is subdivided into three majorobjectives consisting of multiple operational tasks. This
development, employsecholocation to map its surroundings, which it then uses to navigate and avoid obstacles duringflight. The students are responsible for designing the UAS, developing a mission profile, andconducting vehicle sizing. They select off-the-shelf components, create parametric models usingComputer-Aided Design (CAD) software, perform analyses based on these models, update thedesign, and utilize various fabrication methods, including 3D printing, to build and assemble thevehicle. Electronic components are then integrated into the system. The students involved in theproject are at different stages of their academic careers. The high school student gains new skillsin computer modeling, testing, integration, and flight, while the college
initiative aligns with the broader benefits reported in theliterature for UREs.Unlike traditional UREs, this program integrates multiple high-impact practices that enhancestudent engagement, learning outcomes, and career preparedness. These practices include: • Industry Sponsorship and Mentorship: Students in the program benefit from direct collaboration with industry sponsors and mentors [1]. Students have aligned their projects with industry needs and priorities, providing students with the opportunity to work on critical, real-world problems. The program encourages the development of professional networks, enhancing students' collaboration and communication skills. • Vertically Integrated
). As part of his joint appointment with UAF’s College of Engineering & Mines and Geophysical Institute, Dr Hatfield teaches courses in electrical and aerospace engineering, conducts UAS research in support of ACUASI, and participates in STEM outreach activities. In addition, Dr Hatfield administers UAF’s Aerospace Engineering Programs and serves as faculty advisor for the university’s student chapter of the American Institute of Aeronautics & Astronautics. Prior to joining UAF in 2013, Dr Hatfield was a US Air Force officer where he served in numerous capacities over a 28-year career. Dr Hatfield’s assignments included 2 tours teaching at the USAF Academy (Department of Astronautics, ’92-’96, ’99-’02) and
-related career. (a) (b) Figure 11. Comparison of % SA & A and % SD & D responses of math studentsA comparison of the student responses experiencing the VR-based lessons in a non-immersiveand immersive environment is shown in Fig. 12 and Fig. 13. It was observed that there was notmuch difference in the usability, engagement, and effectiveness dimensions between theaverages of students who experienced immersive and non-immersive lessons. The largestdifference in the average was for Q12 which pertained to providing a better overview of thecontent. The average of the responses to the impact dimension of the students experiencing theimmersive modality was 4.7, very close to strong agreement and
the University of Arizona, Tucson, in 2005. He was with Indiana State University from 2005 to 2016, where he became associate professor of Electronics and Computer Engineering Technology. He joined Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide in 2016 as an associate professor in the School of Engineering (formerly Department of Engineering and Technology).Dr. Ghazal Barari, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Dr. Ghazal Barari received her Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Central Florida, where her research focused on combustion modeling of promising biofuels to identify suitable alternatives to fossil fuels. She began her academic career as a tenure-track faculty member at Embry-Riddle
in mechanical engineering is like. During the spring of her freshman year, the student wasendorsed to apply to the internship by one of her professors based on her dedication and merit inhis course. With an ultimate career goal to contribute to advancing technology and innovation,particularly in aerospace engineering, this was a stimulating endeavor she was willing to conquer.A total of 21 projects were presented to the student applicants, and Project 20, “Design andDevelop Test Equipment for Structural Test,” was chosen by her based on her academic andcareer goals in mechanical engineering. Upon being selected, the internship was executed usingfunding from the Department of Education (DOE) through the Minority Science and
graduate education, and a future career inmechanical engineering and design. Sharing these findings highlights the potential forearly-stage research to contribute meaningfully to space exploration and innovation whileeffectively advancing STEM education and experiences at the college level.IntroductionExperiential learning opportunities that bridge the gap between classroom theory and real-worldapplication are essential for fostering effective education for a student of any discipline. In astudy by Alfaro [1], real-world experiences provide students with invaluable experiences throughhands-on projects that are not associated with a letter grade. This can foster skills in creativeproblem-solving, communication, efficient design processes, and an
many challenges. For instance, arocket project involves the collaboration of aerospace, mechanical, chemical, electrical, andcomputer engineering disciplines. As a result, students from diverse backgrounds and withdistinct career aspirations must collaborate to overcome the obstacles. This diversity fosters ateam-based and interdisciplinary learning approach that provides students with invaluable insightand skills beyond those learned in a typical classroom setting [7].Program PhilosophyAt Make to Innovate, we advocate for a practical learning experience emphasizing a hands-onapproach. Our students are motivated to tackle problems head-on and create innovative solutionsthat can be tested in real-world scenarios. Clear objectives are set for
understand the student perception of the course andhow it has changed over time. To this end, we strive to answer the following research questions: • Research Question 1: How does student sentiment change between the new course design vs the old course design. Where we define sentiment as students perceiving this class as a positive or negative experience in their undergraduate academic career. • Research Question 2: Is there a difference in self-reported student growth between the new course design vs. the old course design. One of the main learning goals of senior projects is for students to overcome a hard problem, or to experience a design failure but learn from the failure. We classify this as
Initiative. She has more than 20 years of STEM program evaluation experience. She received her Ph.D. in Continuing Teacher Education from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and holds an M.A in Applied Mathematics from the University of Southern California and an M.S. in Real and Complex Analysis from the University of Bucharest, Romania. She received a CORE Early Career Fulbright U.S. scholar award for the proposal Investigations of Quality Criteria in STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics) Teacher Education and a YWCA leadership award for STEM education.Dr. Joshua Rovey, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Dr. Rovey is a Professor of Aerospace Engineering with background and expertise in
Technology. Dr. Panchal’s research interests are in (1) design at the interface of social and physical phenomena, (2) computational methods and tools for digital engineering, and (3) secure design and manufacturing. He is a recipient of CAREER award from the National Science Foundation (NSF); Young Engineer Award, Guest Associate Editor Award, and three best paper awards from ASME; and was recognized by the B.F.S. Schaefer Outstanding Young Faculty Scholar Award, the Ruth and Joel Spira Award, and as one of the Most Impactful Faculty Inventors at Purdue University. He received the Distinguished Alumni award from IIT Guwahati. He is a co-author of two books and has co-edited one book on engineering systems design. He has
residency, students prepare and present research posters at a formal symposiumattended by faculty, peers, and members of the public. With over 150 attendees at the 2024 event, theprogram’s visibility and impact have grown significantly. By integrating practical research withtheoretical learning and professional development, the URSR equips students with the tools they need forfuture academic success and career readiness. 3. Educational SeminarsThe educational seminars in the 2024 URSR program are meticulously designed to address criticalaspects of research, equipping students with the foundational knowledge and skills required for success inacademia and beyond. Each session delves into a specific topic relevant to aspiring researchers
moreinformed global citizen. Fig. 4 compiles a summary of responses the students had both pre-travel and how those same responseschanged post-travel after their 10 weeks abroad. A summary of the student’s perspectives of their global awareness regarding research within their fields for both pre-traveland post-travel is shown in Fig. 5. After their travel abroad, the IRES students felt that they had a better overall understanding of the global aspects of scientificresearch and how their topics are issues being worked out across the world. The students also felt more confident to conduct,work with, and present their research in an international setting.C. Professional Competency - Development and Career Impact The IRES students were asked both in
form of thesesand dissertations. Although these genres of writing have significant differences, they have acommonality in that they all utilize discipline-specific conventions, which are typically learnedinformally “along the way”. Students are expected to use their writing to demonstrate anunderstanding of the technical topic at hand and document their research results. This comes withthe added expectation that their writing provides sufficient detail so that the work can beevaluated and replicated by others. As students progress through their academic careers, manyrealize that the writing process can improve their understanding of a topic, as what might seemclear in their minds must be logically organized and presented on the page. This
Engineering Doctoral Student Retention from an Organizational Climate and Intersectional Perspective: A Targeted Literature Review of Engineering Education Literature The National Science Board has declared that the long-term vitality of the U.S.workforce relies on the full range of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)career pathways being available to all Americans. This declaration was premised on theincreasing diversity in the U.S. population [1] and the need for multiple perspectives to thecomplex problems faced by society [2]. Thus, the National Science Foundation, the NationalAcademies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine, the American Institutes of Research, andthe Council
. The student has always been intriguedby the field of aerospace engineering and to one day work for and help lead a significantcompany in furthering the exploration and development of the relationship between earth andspace. This opportunity was introduced and encouraged by one of her engineering professorsafter sharing her interest in aerospace and NASA, and the student later became a selectee toparticipate in the program at the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, during thesummer entering her junior academic year as a mechanical engineering student. Upon applyingfor the NASA internship, the student was given a list of projects to choose from that fit heracademic and career goals the best, choosing a project that was
the intersection of multidisciplinary system design optimization and emergent computing approaches including evolutionary computing and machine learning. He has authored over 300 papers and articles and co-authored/edited 4 books on structural and multidisciplinary optimization. A recipient of the AIAA’s Biennial Multidisciplinary Design Optimization Award in 2004, Hajela is a Fellow of AIAA, ASME, and Aeronautical Society of India.Prof. Luca Carlone, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Luca Carlone is the Boeing Career Development Associate Professor in the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and a Principal Investigator in the Laboratory for Information &
trademarks).Dr. Olivier Ladislas de Weck, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Olivier de Weck is a Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics and Engineering Systems at MIT. His research focuses on the technological evolution of complex systems over time, both on Earth and in Space . He is a Fellow of INCOSE and ASEE and serves as Faculty Co-Director of the MIT Gordon ProgramLuca Carlone, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Luca Carlone is the Boeing Career Development Associate Professor in the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and a Principal Investigator in the Laboratory for Information & Decision Systems (LIDS). He received his PhD from the Polytechnic
course was designed specifically to sparkthe interest and knowledge of non-aerospace engineering freshmen and sophomores in theworld of rocketry and potential space careers. The study presented here delves into aquantitative analysis of the cognitive fatigue in assessment structure.ProcedureThe research was conducted within a spring 2024 course titled "AE298: Introduction toRocketry" offered by the Aerospace Engineering Department at a major public university inthe United States. Recruitment involved various advertising across the university, includingdepartmental emails, strategically placed flyers, and outreach to 4 undergraduate engineeringstudent groups. The target audience was first- and second-year STEM students outside ofAerospace
-based learning in capstone courses, underscoring its role in preparing students forprofessional engineering careers by fostering both technical proficiency and teamwork. Theexperience gained through this project will prepare the students for future professional roles inengineering, equipping them with both technical and collaborative skills to tackle real-worldchallenges.Introduction This project is part of the undergraduate senior design requirement in the EngineeringTechnology Program at Sam Houston State University. The objective is to design and fabricate anunmanned aircraft for the SAE Aero Design competition, with a focus on creating a radio-controlled electric airplane capable of carrying at least two liters of water within a two