engineering careers [3]. Respectfulteamwork can motivate, empower, and encourage students from all backgrounds to persistthrough challenges, and to continue pursuing engineering [4]. However, when teamwork andcollaboration is less respectful or inequitable, individuals (often women, racial minorities,members of the LGBTQ community, people with disabilities, etc.) may be discouraged tocontinue studying engineering due to the working environment [4]. Therefore, it is imperativethat early engineering classes foster inclusive and equitable standards of teamwork to ensurestudents of all backgrounds feel respected in academic collaboration. An environment of respectand inclusion is beneficial not only to the individuals in the team but also to the team as
leveraging the power of PBL inteaching practices and projects with a focus on DEIJ, engineering educators can create moreinclusive and empowering learning experiences through projects that help all students thrive intheir engineering education and future engineering careers by fostering innovation, creativity,and excellence. Creating an inclusive learning environment, ensuring equitable access andsuccess, and promoting diverse representation and perspectives in project-based classes withinfirst year engineering courses are essential for retaining and preparing engineers who areequipped to address the complex and grand challenges of the 21st century.ConclusionComing from civil and environmental engineering backgrounds, the authors initially taught
, students’ certainty in their choice of major significantlyincreased from the beginning to the end of the semester. Based on the survey results, a modulewas added to the course to familiarize students further with job opportunities associated withvarious engineering/computer science majors. This work provides context for recruiting studentsinto engineering and computer science majors and for integrating information on careeropportunities into first-year courses.IntroductionThe major students select before or during the first year of their studies at the university impactsthem significantly for the rest of their careers [1], [2]. These impacts include job satisfaction,socioeconomic status, and career success. Therefore, investigating the factors
-college)-level with a goal of pursuing an engineering major never make it to that200-level. In contrast to the 200-level experience, students earlier in their academic path aremore diffuse in 100-level math, physics, and chemistry courses that also serve other STEMmajors and include no direct instruction on how course content is relevant to their career goals.Opportunities to build community around engineering are up to individual students to seek out inextra-curricular opportunities such as student clubs. This challenge is amplified for most WCCengineering students who must complete 10-20 credits of prerequisite math and physicscoursework before credits apply toward their eventual Bachelor of Science degree.Table 1 illustrates the differential
universities. They have traits to acknowledge and make themost of, for example, their “native digital” nature. Generation Z college students also view college as away to lead a career with purpose; therefore more likely to be motivated by the change they can make inthe world. They also have specific challenges which are important to consider, the primary example beingthe stresses and losses derived from learning within a pandemic [2]. Generation Z students are also themost diverse generation in modern American history. In honoring a commitment to support studentsuccess, it is important to consider these strengths and challenges. In addition, the weed-out culture ofengineering should be replaced with a culture that supports the success of a wider
Paper ID #42757Understanding and Enhancing Student Engagement: Measuring Resources,Self-Assessment and Constructive Engagement In 1st-Year Engineering CoursesNavid Yaghoubisharif, Oregon State UniversityDr. Shane A. Brown P.E., Oregon State University Shane Brown is an associate professor and Associate School Head in the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Oregon State University. His research interests include conceptual change and situated cognition. He received the NSF CAREER award inDr. Natasha Mallette P.E., Oregon State University Dr. Natasha Mallette is a licensed professional engineer with expertise in
obstacle to student success. This could be useful in preparingremedial material for non-native speakers. Since mastering engineering terminology is critical tostudents’ success in their careers, more care should be taken to strength the first three levels ofBloom’s taxonomy [7], before approaching problems involving analysis or design. Such materialcan bridge the opportunity gaps between non-native speakers of English and the rest. This will becrucial in the university’s mission to reduce opportunity gaps between different studentdemographics while producing career-ready graduates who master terminology in theirrespective fields.References:[1]. H. Friman, Y. Sitbon, I. Banner, Y. Einav, Y, Environmental Engineering EducationOversome the Language
, test, and analyze. They want to solve problems. They thinkthat is all their engineering careers will involve. They tend not to value writing, no matter howemphatically we tell them it matters. So our aim was to improve basic writing instruction for first-year engineering students by faculty who don’t feel comfortable teaching or grading writing, butalso to lead students to appreciate the central role of writing as communication in their futureengineering careers.This project aimed to analyze the current state of writing in EGR 110 and design new coursematerials to address some deficiencies. As a Work in Progress (WIP), there is interesting data thathelped direct the materials we developed. Still, we have not collected data to determine if
, including classes, exams, and studying which differed drasticallyfrom their high-school experiences [1,2].Often, students seek out informal peer-advising from friends and upper-class students at theirinstitution [1]. Informal advising happens peer-to-peer in the residence and dining halls, on thebus or even at the gym. On occasion, informal advising can lead students down an incorrect path,causing them additional stress and struggle during their academic career [2].Official peer advising programs ensure that students are getting assistance from peers who aretrained, ensuring that information is accurate and resource referrals are appropriate. No matterthe level of struggle, students who seek out peer-advising assistance report that they are
(Table4). Average Likert responses in pre- and post-semester self-reflection surveys for Fall 2021 and2022 indicate a significant (p<0.05), positive impact of the course on student sense ofpreparedness (+10-15%) and familiarity with academic programs (+32-40%), extracurricularopportunities (+32-57%), and career readiness strategies (+62%) at the end of the first semester.Student familiarity increased over the course of the FYS semester with respect to anunderstanding of the design thinking process (+69%), effective teamwork strategies (+18-23%),technical communication in the discipline (+27-36%), and academic integrity policies (+5-6%).Students’ overall sense of success averaged 3.9 out of 5 in both Fall 2021 and Fall 2022. Overallsense of
familial and academic experiences as being their most formative [1]. Indeed, one of theeffects of the updated ABET criteria implemented in 2000 was to call increased attention toengineering ethics in the undergraduate curriculum [2]. McDonald noted that while virtuespecifically cannot be taught, and must be wanted on a personal level, the ability to make ethicaldecisions is distinct from (though related to) virtue and is a skill that can be developed [3]. In2005, Dyrud [4] emphasized the importance of ethics in engineering education, and describedhow it can affect performance both in later courses and in future careers. Harris and co-authors[5] recommended that ethics should be introduced as early as possible and as many times aspossible, both in
about their commitment to diversity. Once accepted, students receive a$500 scholarship each semester for a total of 8 semesters.The programs’ goals were to support students’ academic success, support students’ professionaland career development, and to provide community building to support the students’interpersonal development. The learning objectives and outcomes were designed to help retainfirst- to second semester and first- to second-year students, help participants to complete theirdegrees within 6 years, help students to engage in at least one experiential learning opportunity(internship/co-op, undergraduate research, study abroad, or other), and to help students connectwith a faculty member who cares about them
fundamentals applicable to both researchand in practical careers; 3. Student education should be constructed around the way studentslearn best and must be both effective and engaging for the current era; and 4. Student educationshould empower them to think more effectively and learn more effectively by themselves.The principles of the program are realized through the program curriculum and pedagogy in thefollowing ways: Students in each thread learn how to assemble, operate, design, and test newtechnologies. Students engage in interdisciplinary R&D in cross-departmental teams, includinghands-on project work, applying state-of-the-art methods and technologies. Thread instructorsapply a variety of pedagogical approaches and instructional tools, and
using the Engineering Design Process (EDP)within the context of the accomplishments and mindset of Da Vinci. The course exploredengineering mechanics and design topics concurrent with applying physics topics in anengineering laboratory. A qualitative analysis was performed using a new reflective tool,PhotoVoice. The purpose of the assessment was to better understand the impact of the course onthe student vision, the operation of the course relative to what they have encountered in theireducational careers, and student-perceived learning outcomes. Analysis of student reflectionsrevealed themes of “Changed Perspectives,” “Engagement in the Classroom,” and“Brainstorming Benefits” when describing the impact of the course on their career visions
current hinted at but never explicitly named that gavestudents an incredibly strong sense of belonging. What I am referring to is the historical ortemporal aspect of belonging. Many of the traditional constructs are acute or snapshots of whatbelonging is at that moment in time. But what became clear through the interviews was thatmany of these students felt they belonged long before beginning their higher education journey,even though they had just begun their engineering career. This was especially prevalent in thetraditional engineering students, i.e. (white males) and was clearly contrasted when looking atthose traditionally minoritized. When Chad was asked to reflect on her engineering journey sofar, she began by describing. “I have my
more interdisciplinary andnon-traditional approaches to engineering [33]. One quote that Omitoyin et al. [21] wrote sumsup this idea of how to drive participation and motivation in underrepresented groups is: “Therefore, it may be salient to align engineering course content with how students identify engineers: content that more closely aligns with improving the world, helping individuals, and solving problems” [21, p. 14].Looking to their future careers: Another theme that prevailed was how students seem to have aneye towards their future careers as motivation in their programs. For example, students are mostmotivated to participate in learning interventions and experiences that would make them moreemployable in the future
marginalized groups [6]. Engineering isone of the fastest growing career paths in the United States and will require the appropriateeducation of a diverse population to fulfill those needs [7]. As the U.S. population keepsdiversifying [8], it is critical we ensure that students from different backgrounds have the supportthey need to transition to a successful path in engineering and other STEM areas.ContextThis evidence-based innovation project is taking place at the University at Buffalo, where thefirst-year engineering seminar EAS199: Engineering Principles takes place. The inception of thecourse re-design was previously reported [11] with the intention of enhancing retention ofstudents at the first year. The overall goal is to provide a better
Paper ID #42257Helping Undergraduates Find a Research Match Yields Stellar RetentionResultsSusan Elaine Benzel, Colorado State University Susan E. Benzel, PMP Scott Scholars Program Director Walter Scott, Jr. College of Engineering Colorado State University Susan earned her Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Colorado State University, and after a 30-year career in high-tech working for Hewlett Packard (HP)/Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE), she returned to CSU in the fall of 2018 to work with both the Scott Scholars (recipients of CSU’s most prestigious engineering scholarship) as well as the first
practices that advantage white men over other social groups continue to persistwithin both academia and engineering [5]. Antiquated ideologies about who belongs inengineering education often persist among faculty and students [6], particularly within PWIsettings, which can result in students of color experiencing marginalization and isolation duringtheir undergraduate careers [7], [8], [9]. Consequently, these students are often retained in theengineering pipeline at disproportionately lower rates than their white peers [1], [10]. Thecontinued underrepresentation of Black and Brown individuals among engineering bachelor’sdegree recipients in the U.S. contributes to persistent equity gaps and racial homogenizationwithin the profession [11
their academic journey [6], [37], [38]. The roots of students' challenges incollege-level mathematics may be traced back to their high school experiences [39], [40]. Giventhat mathematical skills are often used to assess job applicants across various careers [41], mathreadiness becomes a critical determinant for college admissions [42] and subsequent degreeattainment [43], [44]. While some studies have delved into disparities in math readiness, othershave explored variations based on racial and ethnic minorities [45].The perception of integration and emotional connection during the first year, often referred to asthe sense of community [46], has been shown to have a substantial influence on students'academic achievement [47]. This emphasizes
. From what I learned from the book it seemed to represent, as much as it could, what a realproject would be like in real life. It involved working with other people, working aroundproblems that had to be outsourced in the real world.” (Fall 2019) “It was great to get my handson the project and see how engineers think and work out problems. Overall, I learned a widebreadth of knowledge from this class, and I feel better prepared going forward into moreengineering classes and, hopefully, a career.” (Winter 2020) “He also used a great method ofgrading group projects. We worked as a group, but everyone received a grade for the portion thatthey were responsible for.” (Fall 2021) “I really liked the team aspect of this class. I think it'sreally
, startsfundamental community building, and works on a career plan. Student success is often tied togrit, which includes a growth mindset and an ability to learn from failure. Orientation courses areessential foundational experiences for first-year retention and success, but it is challenging tocultivate a classroom environment where students feel safe sharing ideas and struggles. ThisGIFTS paper will detail the research regarding the benefits of using storybooks with olderstudents, the details (and individual modifications) of the activities done in the orientationcourses and the scenarios for storytelling, plans for future assessment of the classroom exercise,and the conclusions drawn from the faculty reflections.Justification of Picture Books “Picture
Program (STEMTalent Expansion Program), the CEAS at WMU offers two student success courses for first-yearstudents entering at the Algebra II placement level. One course focuses on applications ofAlgebra II topics with the goals of helping students understand the importance of mathematics intheir desired career and improving their mathematical knowledge. The second course, ENGR2100, integrates concepts of study skills, career preparation, and student engagement to facilitatestudent success. Student feedback on ENGR 2100 has been generally very positive. However,the previous structure of ENGR 2100 had two significant limitations. The first was that ENGR2100 does not count towards graduation. The second was that enrollment in ENGR 2100 waslimited to
cannot receiveadvanced placement credit. The new COM course will replace COM 221 as the course beingmerged with EGR 201.While starting this instruction early in the students’ career is vital, the authors acknowledge thatit is insufficient to address students’ needs. Students need additional opportunities to practicewhat they have learned, to reflect on their learning, and to develop the necessary habits. To theseends, it is essential that quality learning environments be created in the courses students take intheir second and third years.To accomplish this objective, the technical writing course, COM 221, will be coordinated with asecond-year course, likely ES 202 Solid Mechanics. It is anticipated that these courses will notbe co-taught like
regarding college life and their realization of their own academic and socialunpreparedness. They critically reflected on their perspectives about themselves and others. Inthis process, they became more aware of themselves and accepting and inclusive of others. Eventhough most of them considered the overall experience difficult and challenging, especiallyacademically, it is interesting to note that most of them recorded optimistic and enthusiasticstatements about their college and career journey.Apart from open-ended questions, the learning activity survey also comprised mostly positivelyinclined responses. This proves that students encountered enough transformative learningexperiences during the program. However, the study did not collect
homogeneous intentions geared toward studentsuccess. Some of these programs focus on increasing undergraduate internships [3] or onunderstanding career options [4], while others aim to increase student success in first-yearprograms [5] and improve student retention [6, 7, 8, 9, 10]. All these categories have variouslevels of mentorship tailored to meet the primary needs of the respective program. For example,an industry mentor might provide career guidance while a faculty mentor could advise ondegrees paths and options for graduate work. More recent programs have focused on peermentoring, especially for first year programs concerned with increasing retention rates [11, 12],but which are also applied to higher level academics and teaching related
rudimentary analyses, represent data graphically, construct prototypes, and evaluate their solutions [3]. Most entering freshmen are unaware of their career opportunities; thus, the course should expose students to engineering-related career paths [4] including research [5]. To hold students’ attention, traditional (full-period) class lectures should be replaced by shorter, content-focused presentations followed by interactive activities [6]. To introduce discipline-specific tools while keeping the experience “fresh” for students, faculty are encouraged to rotate teaching different groups of students. Graded exercises may consist of individual written homework assignments and quizzes, while
Engineering Education at the University at Buffalo. She was the first doctoral student to get a Ph.D. in Engineering Education from the University of Cincinnati. She also has a Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Cincinnati and a Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering from SRM University, India. Her research areas of interest are graduate student professional development for a career in academia, preparing future faculty, and using AI tools to solve non-traditional problems in engineering education. She is currently also furthering work on the agency of engineering students through open-ended problems. She has published in several international conferences.Dr. P.K. Imbrie, University of
advanced coursework of engineering students can be predicted by theiracademic performance in first-year courses [9]. In addition, these courses can help studentsidentify areas of engineering that interest them and guide their career choices [10]. Thus, thesignificance of the first-year engineering courses extends beyond mere academic introduction;they are integral in shaping the future academic journeys of aspiring engineers.Understanding how instructors' pedagogical knowledge affects their classroom practices iscrucial. Pedagogical knowledge includes a wide range of pedagogical strategies to effectivelymanage a classroom and engage students [11]. This includes the use of instructional strategiesthat accommodate diverse student needs, the design
potential for improving learningoutcomes for diverse students by helping them connect theoretical concepts with practicalengineering applications [28]. When utilized in introductory level engineering courses, project-based learning has been shown to be beneficial for student performance in subsequentengineering courses [28]. The social component of project-based learning has also beenobserved to be an effective tool in helping students develop and refine soft skills such ascommunication, collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking that will be very important to theirfuture success in a career [3].Assessment MethodsPre- and Post-Participation SurveysPre- and post-participation surveys were developed by the project’s evaluator based