Paper ID #39751Examining the Impact of Early Cybersecurity Education in the Selectionof Cybersecurity as a Career among High School Senior and UniversityFreshmen StudentsSai Sushmitha SudhaSaiSuma SudhaDr. Ahmad Y. Javaid, The University of Toledo Ahmad Y. Javaid received his B.Tech. (Hons.) Degree in Computer Engineering from Aligarh Muslim University, India in 2008. He received his Ph.D. degree from The University of Toledo in 2015 along with the prestigious University Fellowship Award. Previously, he worked for two years as a Scientist Fellow in the Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India. He joined the
Paper ID #49044BOARD #104: Work-in-Progress: Uncovering AI Adoption Trends AmongUniversity Engineering Students for Learning and Career PreparednessLinda Davis Ahlstrom, Utah State University Linda Ahlstrom PhD student currently studying Engineering Education at Utah State University. Interested in the Univerity to Industry interface and the use of AI tools in engineering. MS Electrical Engineering Cal State Long Beach. Worked in industry: Biomedical, Software Development and Aerospace.Dr. Oenardi Lawanto, Utah State University Dr. Oenardi Lawanto is a professor in the Department of Engineering Education at Utah State
. SUCCESSbrings together people, programs, knowledge, and resources to provide CS education and career counselingto students in these middle schools. RPPs are a novel method that uses research in local educational contextsto increase access to CS in areas that typically lack necessary resources. The SUCESS RPP is creating aCS course sequence that satisfies a West Virginia (WV) middle school career exploration requirement andsupports districts in implementing CS education in their schools, thereby expanding CS opportunities forrural students. Core RPP members are West Virginia University (WVU) Center for Excellence in STEMEducation (CE-STEM), West Virginia University Beckley campus (WVU-B), the Raleigh County SchoolDistrict, the West Virginia Department
Engineering and Computing at National University in San Diego, California. ©American Society for Engineering Education, 2023 Using Artificial Intelligence in Academia to Help Students Choose Their Engineering ProgramAbstractIt is important to find an area of focus that is related to a career path that aligns with engineeringstudents’ abilities, technical background, and long-term goals. Due to the array of availablespecializations in industry categories, selecting the best fit for their interests is a big challenge forengineering students. For example, the computer science category includes informationtechnology, programming languages, software engineering, networks, etc. Most
enrichunderstanding but also boost motivation and commitment to STEM careers [7].Finally, building an inclusive academic atmosphere ensures that students feel appreciated andencouraged, which is critical for overcoming feelings of isolation common amongunderrepresented groups [8]. This report investigates how ARROWS activities—structuredmentorship, immersive research involvement, and institutional support—help minority STEMstudents achieve better retention outcomes.As a core retention strategy, mentorship is an essential part of the ARROWS curriculum. Theinitiative connects participants with dedicated faculty mentors who give tailored help on bothacademic obstacles and personal development. To date, 15 faculty members from the College ofScience and
. Even with the support of an instructional team, this process can be time-consuming and increase workload. We employed Charlie, a neural network-enabled grader, toprovide feedback on students’ writing assignments. Students only need to submit one draft,the minimum requirement for the assignment, although multiple submissions are allowed toreceive feedback from Charlie. The results indicate that Charlie’s feedback is generallyeffective, but improvements are needed in accuracy and recognizing revisions. The findingsalso reveal that students integrated feedback well, particularly in refining their career goalsand action plan sections. This study suggests that the design of learning activities could berefined to encourage students to be more
data science, bioinformatics, and applied computing for the social sciences.These programs are designed to provide students with both domain knowledge and computingskills to better prepare them for today’s increasingly digital world. To benefit from theseprograms, however, students first need awareness that these opportunities exist. Furthermore,students majoring in non-computer science/engineering fields are often not provided withlearning experiences that foster their self-efficacy in pursuing computing courses, thus limitingtheir future educational and career choices [1 - 3]. Students from historically marginalizedcommunities, shown to be enrolled at higher rates in community colleges than in 4-yearinstitutions, are particularly affected by
, evaluate working with potential teammates based on needs, and justifytheir selections with data. Finally, CREAC forces students to explicitly articulate why a specificteam composition and project selection support their career trajectories rather than relying onconvenience or habit. The following table illustrates how each stage of CREAC aligns with thecapstone process: CREAC Stage Capstone Application Conclusion Define the ideal project outcome and personal career objectives. Rule Research industry standards and team structures in relevant
pursue career opportunities at this company and related prominent companies in tech. ©American Society for Engineering Education, 2023Surveying the Importance of Integrating Technical Interviews into Computer Science Curriculums and Increasing Awareness in the AcademyAbstractTechnical interviews are undeniably a vital element when it comes to the successful employmentof new grads and can be attributed to the disparity of employment of computer science (CS)majors. Due to a variety of factors, the preparation and the general importance of technicalinterviews tend not to be emphasized in many CS curricula and academic institutions at large.For this reason, many CS majors are unfamiliar with the technical
minor in Applied Computing for Behavioral and Social Sciences (ACBSS), and is a co-advisor for the minor. Additionally, she teaches the first course in the minor series, which covers the application of Python to current social science topics, as well as the use of programming in careers such as data analysis, user experience research, and econometrics.Jennifer Avena, San Jose State UniversityDavid Schuster, San Jose State UniversityWendy Lee, San Jose State UniversityDr. Belle Wei, San Jose State University Belle Wei is Carolyn Guidry Chair in Engineering Education and Innovative Learning at San JosA©˜ State University (SJSU). Previous roles include: Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at California State
revealed 99.7% of matches as valid, indicating mentors and mentees sharedtwo or more similarities.IntroductionSuccessful mentorship in engineering education by Akerele, Vermeulen, and Marnewick [1],demonstrates the pivotal role of mentorship in transforming theoretical knowledge into practicalskills. A study published in the International Journal for Academic Development indicates thatstudents with mentors exhibit a higher likelihood of successfully completing their engineeringdegrees and actively pursuing careers in the field [2]. In response to the limitations of existingresources, MentorMate introduces an automated solution with a matching algorithm aimed atsimplifying and expediting the mentorship process. Our objective is to devise an
areas of the United States have less access to computer science education and are underrepresented in computer science majors and careers. At the same time, many rural occupations such as agriculture are becoming reliant on technology, and there is a need for skilled computer scientists with a rural background and skillset to develop effective tools and software that can be used in those occupations. In addition, the values of grit, determination, self-sufficiency, and perseverance often studied in rural populations are also attributed to successful computer scientists. Given the need for rural students to participate in computer science careers, and the overlap in rural values and the qualities of good
and engagement in the STEM fields.IntroductionFor the last few decades, STEM programs have been underrepresented by minority students,primarily female students in higher education. Fields such as computer science and engineeringare where the absence of minority and female students is more noticeable; however, subjectssuch as biology, chemistry, and life sciences are more attractive to female students whenselecting a college degree and potential career paths [1]. To address this disparity and increasethe diversity of students in computer science and cybersecurity, especially underrepresentedminorities (URM) and women, it is necessary to create awareness and foster interest from anearly age [2]. Implementing effective STEM programs in the K-12
. He has also con- ducted a Faculty in Residency at Google during the summer of 2018 to learn more about this company’s culture, practices, and to understand the expectations for candidates (e.g. aspiring CS majors) who pursue career opportunities at this company and related prominent companies in tech.Abigail DinaMariah McMichaelTheodore Wimberly Jr.Lauren Brown Lauren Brown is a Morgan State University Research Assistant majoring in Computer Science.Krystal L. Williams, University of Georgia ©American Society for Engineering Education, 2023 Exposing Early CS Majors to Technical Interview Practices in the Form of Group-Based Whiteboard Problem Solving ActivitiesAbstract:Upon degree
for funding by NSF. He has also con- ducted a Faculty in Residency at Google during the summer of 2018 to learn more about this company’s culture, practices, and to understand the expectations for candidates (e.g. aspiring CS majors) who pursue career opportunities at this company and related prominent companies in tech.Theodore Wimberly Jr.Mariah McMichaelMiss Lauren Brown, Morgan State University Lauren Brown is a Morgan State University Research Assistant majoring in Computer Science.Abigail DinaKrystal L. Williams, University of Georgia ©American Society for Engineering Education, 2023Examining Psychological and Social Factors that Impact the Experiences and Representation of Black Women in
that these populationssubscribe to a complex shared group identity referred to as rural consciousness [9]. Whilenot yet adequately explored, there is also some evidence to support that, for intersectionalidentities, rural consciousness may play a larger role in decision making than gender, race, orethnic identities.In her landmark 2004 paper, Bridget Barron suggested that a learning ecology perspectivewas a useful mechanism for understanding how and why students engage in activities thatdevelop an interest in technology careers. She identified five contexts that support students indeveloping fluency in an interest like a computer science — school, peers, home, community,and distributed resources — and argued that students need support across
Abstract: This study explores the integration of machine learning (ML) concepts into the curriculum for 6th to 12th-grade students thus, addressing the growing importance of com- putational skills in the STEM workforce. Teachers play a pivotal role as the principal ped- agogical agents in fostering students’ motivation and readiness to engage in postsecondary education in STEM career pathways and eventually, the STEM workforce. Thus, we hy- pothesize that introducing teachers to innovative machine learning (ML) research method- ologies—particularly those applied to real-world problem solving—can significantly en- hance STEM learning and research experiences in grades 6 through
) 501 2926 Advanced Database Systems (DS) 113 133 Advanced Engineering Probability and Statistics (EPS) 21 83 Introductory Nuclear Engineering Fundamentals (NEF) 28 154 Introductory Careers in Agricultural and Consumer Economics (CACE) 5 17 Introductory Table 1: Summary of Collected Logs by Course for Fall 2024 semesterAs shown in Table 1 the logged data highlights varying levels of engagement across courses, withParallel Programming showing the highest activity (501 users and 2,926 conversations), whileCareers in Agricultural and Consumer
expected experiences [5]. Within the workplace,professionals use informal learning for continuing education, seeking help, gathering information,finding support or feedback, collaborating, and gaining further experience in both their career andprivate lives [24, 25]. However, despite research showing the benefits of informal learningopportunities, many individuals and organizations push for formal education over informal ormixed educational pathways [26].Informal Learning Informal education and opportunities in STEM help bridge the gap betweenformal education and real-world experiences and foster continuing education throughout a careerand beyond [27, 28]. Specifically within computer science education (CSEd), active learningtechniques like
computing and included sample questions such as asking to what extent studentsagree that “I’m certain I can understand the ideas taught in computing courses.” These itemswere modified from the Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire [39]. We adapted theitems to specifically ask students about their beliefs related to computing and used the same 5-point Likert scale (strongly disagree to strongly agree) as Matthews [40].Intent to Persist: Items for this construct measured students’ intent to persist, interest in computerscience careers, and perceived relevance of computer science to future/future time and content.These items asked students to what extent they were interested in taking more computer scienceclasses, interested in computer
Undergraduate Quantum Computing EducationAbstractAs quantum computing (QC) technologies continue to advance, there is an increasing demand fora workforce skilled in QC. Higher education plays a critical role in preparing students with thefoundational knowledge and specialized skills required for careers in quantum research,development, and application. While a few studies have introduced QC to high school students orcomputer science majors, there is limited focus on students from diverse academic backgrounds.Existing research has primarily shared instructors’ experiences and efforts in teaching quantumcomputing in higher education, but there is a notable lack of studies exploring ways to enhanceQC instruction and examining students’ learning and
highDFW rates. Our course redesign tackled these issues by integrating two key strategies:contextualized learning and the inclusion of undergraduate learning assistants (LAs) to foster apeer-supported learning environment.The first approach, contextualized learning, embeds computing concepts within real-worldengineering problems. By presenting engineering-focused challenges, students were able tobridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. This approach not onlyfostered deeper comprehension but also significantly increased engagement, helping students toconnect computing principles to their future careers. As a result, we observed improvements inboth retention and academic performance.The second approach involved the
Hispanics graduatefrom high school prepared to begin a STEM degree program or career [3][4]. This project aimsto overcome Hispanic students’ barriers by improving both cognitive and socio-emotionaloutcomes and enhance students’ informal learning communities by: (1) increasing participants’interest and engagement with mathematics and geometry specifically, (2) increasing participants’productive dispositions toward STEM subjects, and (3) enhancing the culture and broadeningparticipation in students’ informal learning communities. The after-school activities will bemodeled on the Math Circles which are a nationally recognized outreach program which allowsteenagers to investigate interesting and fun math concepts through inquiry-based learning underthe
privacy in their final project design. For example, one class activitywas for students to decode a Caesar Cipher. Knowledge of common vulnerabilities and defensivecoding strategies is essential in any computer science career.2.4.6 AI and TinyMLGiven the rapid advancements in AI, the course incorporated fundamental concepts of MachineLearning (ML) and how IoT devices can leverage its benefits. We introduced students to theburgeoning field of TinyML (also known as embedded AI). TinyML offers significant advantagesto IoT systems, including enhanced privacy, reduced costs, and increased customization. WhileML at the edge, or on-device, is not entirely new (e.g., Siri running locally on smartphones), itspotential in IoT is transformative. For voice
Utah State University (USU). Her research focuses on the intersections of disability, identity formation, and culture and uses anti-ableist approaches to enhance universal access for students with disabilities in STEM, particularly in engineering. At USU, she serves as the Co-Director of the Institute for Interdisciplinary ©American Society for Engineering Education, 2025 Paper ID #47960Transition Services. In 2024, Dr. McCall received a National Science Foundation CAREER grant toidentify systemic opportunities for increasing the participation of people with disabilities in engineering.Her award-winning
). Students provided consent to have their course performance and surveyresults be used for research purposes. Their responses to the pre-course and post-course surveyswere anonymized. Table 3. Survey (O = Open, K = Knowledge, S = Skills, A = Attitudes, L = List, P = Post-Course Open)O1 In your own words, describe machine learningO2 In your own words, describe the limitations of machine learningO3 In your own words, provide specific examples of how machine learning will likely impact your career in the next 10 yearsK1 I can describe at least one ML applicationK2 I understand the main steps to implement at least one ML applicationK3 I understand what distinguishes ML from traditional mathematical approachesK4
example ofan external environment that impacts students can be seen through space exploration. Accordingto Collins [16], “Without pronounced personal interest, if they never see astronauts that looklike them nor understand how that career field will affect their innermost circle of friends andfamily, there is decreased value to that field of study for them” [16, p. 161]. Figure 1 furtherdemonstrates how these aspects contribute to a STEM identity. Figure 1. Black student STEM identity [16].MethodsResearch DesignThis study used a mixed-method methodology to explore students’ self-efficacy andperformance based on quantitative data sources (pre- and post-implementation surveys andqualitative sources (quality of participants
without any physicalequipment. Establishing a virtualized learning environment is an effective approach forcybersecurity teaching [5]. The use of game-based learning in cybersecurity camps can be aneffective way to introduce students to key topics in cybersecurity [6]. As technology becomes morepervasive, helping students understand the importance of cybersecurity in their careers is crucialfor preparing them for the demands of the modern workforce[7]. A cybersecurity awarenessprogram that utilizes a game-like learning environment can be an effective way to engage studentsand promote cybersecurity best practices [8].Goal and ObjectiveThis project aims to expand high school students’ knowledge about cybersecurity. Therefore, weoffered a free
training instructors can seek.Best Practices Support Learning for EveryoneComputer Science student Imani explained that they feel motivated when the learning isinteresting, authentic, and engaging in the classroom: Trying to find like that value, they may put it in the syllabus or in the beginning like, hey, these are the learning outcomes. This is what you're gonna be learning from it. This is how it's gonna apply to your future career. So that might be some way they're trying to get that interest. Like, hey, this actually does matter.Here, Imani proposes a variety of best teaching practices that include creating well-defined,straightforward learning objectives in the classroom policy and stating how the learning
Mass Communica- tions from the University of South Florida and her B.S. in Global Strategic Communications from FIU. ©American Society for Engineering Education, 2023 Virtual Interview Training: Perceptions and Performance using Digital Hiring ManagersAbstractInterviewing for a job can be an intimidating experience for students and recent graduates. Manyindividuals may feel unprepared for their first interview and uncertain about what they could beasked. Having confidence and strong interview skills is very important for professionaldevelopment and career attainment. In this work, we describe a web-based platform designed toprovide experiential learning and interview practice for