Conference Session

Impacts on K-12 Student Identity, Career Choice, and Perceptions of Engineers

Collection

2014 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Kimberly A.S. Howard, Boston University; Jacob William Diestelmann, University of Wisconsin - Madison; Tsu-Lun Huang; Lauren E. Aneskavich; Kevin Cheng; Benjamin Bryan Crary, University of Wisconsin - Madison; Jean DeMerit, UW–Madison; Tam Mayeshiba, University of Wisconsin-Madison; Amy K. Schiebel, Edgewood College; Susan C. Hagness, University of Wisconsin, Madison; Steven M. Cramer P.E., University of Wisconsin, Madison; Amy E. Wendt, University of Wisconsin - Madison

Tagged Divisions

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering

: OtherIntroductionEfforts to increase STEM career interests have often focused on high school youth. However,middle school is a critical juncture during which many students begin to seriously considercareer options. Attitudes about self and work developed during this period form the foundationalbelief system from which students set career goals and choose high school courses andactivities1. The method by which STEM activities are presented during middle school can have aprofound impact on students’ motivation and interest to pursue careers in STEM related fields2,3.Pre-college STEM education efforts have not been evenly distributed across the four subjectsrepresented by the STEM acronym. While math and science are core middle and high schoolsubject areas

Conference Session

Evaluation: Diversity in K-12 and Pre-college Engineering Education

Collection

2015 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Katherina V Tarnai-Lokhorst P.Eng., FEC, Camosun College

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering

? Perceived Barriers to Engineering Education: Exploring the feminist influences on curriculum in British Columbia and on the career choices of women with high school physics creditAbstractThe population of engineers is insufficient to meet long-term demand; although immigration isboosting the numbers and adding diversity to the mix, women are still severely underrepresented1,2 . The recruitment of women into these programs is a clear opportunity to meet industrydemand for engineers. Young women occupy an increasing percentage of the seats in highschool physics classrooms 3,4. This paper presents evidence from the British Columbia schoolsystem depicting trends in the number of young women

Conference Session

Descriptions of Curricular and Model Development

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

David E. Culler, Oregon Institute of Technology; Marcella K. Minster, Oregon Institue of Technology (Student); Irina Demesko-Prosnik, Oregon Institute of Technology

Tagged Divisions

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering

AC 2011-2166: PROPOSING A STRUCTURED GRAPHICAL MODEL US-ING IDEF THAT CAN BE USED FOR STORING, ORGANIZING ANDSTUDYING FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE GIRLS AND YOUNG WOMENTO CONSIDER A CAREER IN ENGINEERINGDavid E. Culler, Oregon Institute of Technology 2007-Present: Associate Professor of Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering and Technology, Ore- gon Institute of Technology Ph.D., Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Emphasis, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico. American Society of Engineering Education Member Faculty Ad- visor, Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME)Marcella K. MinsterIrina Demesko-Prosnik, Oregon Institute of Technology

Conference Session

High-School Engineering Education

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Muhammad Kehnemouyi, Montgomery College; Uchechukwu Abanulo, Montgomery College

Tagged Divisions

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering

. While the current programof study is effective in getting students excited in Engineering and its many disciplines,and in giving students a wide range of practical introductory experience in Engineering, itlacks the ability to get students to consciously develop a career path in engineering, andbegin considering the necessary academic and experiential steps required in order toexperience a successful career in the engineering discipline of their choice. As a result,several students find it easier or more convenient to change majors when they feeloverwhelmed by the requirements for engineering students, since they never really had aplanned career path initially.To address the above concerns, an additional project, the ‘Engineering your

Conference Session

Exemplary Teacher and Counselor Professional Development

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Macon Beck, Purdue University; Heidi Diefes-Dux, Purdue Universtiy; Teri Reed-Rhoads, Purdue University

Tagged Divisions

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering

between school counselors’ available time and students’ desirefor career advising creates the need for high quality and effective career advising materials andsupport for school counselors. Little research has been conducted around the issue of what isneeded to support school counselors in advising students about engineering careers. This pilotstudy was designed to answer the following questions, “What are school counselors’understanding of engineering” and “What is the self-reported need for and support desired byprofessional school counselors to aid their work with academic and career development relatedto students and engineering?” An online survey instrument was developed to collect informationfrom school counselors about (1) their

Conference Session

Successful K-12 Programs for Girls & Minorities

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Stan Komacek, California University of Pennsylvania; Carol Adukaitis, PA State System of Higher Education

Tagged Divisions

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering

Higher Education Carol Adukaitis received a BS degree from the University of Delaware, an MS from Bloomsburg University, and an EdD from Temple University. She has been a faculty member at Reading area Community College, Temple University, and adjunct at Montgomery County Community College, and has held the position as Industry/Curriculum Coordinator at several Career and Technology Centers. She has served as a PA Department of Education Evaluator for ten Governors Institutes and was a consultant for NOCTI Assessment Development and Test Preparation for the Massachusetts Department of Education. She is currently employed by the PA State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) on a Department of

Conference Session

Middle School Engineering Programs, Curriculum, and Evaluation

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Jacob D. Joseph, The College of William and Mary; Jessica Taylor, College of William and Mary, STEM Education Alliance; Gail B. Hardinge, College of William and Mary, STEM Education Alliance; Eugene F. Brown, Virginia Tech

Tagged Divisions

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering

c American Society for Engineering Education, 2011 The Virginia Demonstration Project— A Summative AssessmentIntroductionThe Virginia Demonstration Project (VDP) is a middle-school-focused, educational outreachprogram that is designed to increase the interest of middle-school students in STEM (Science,Technology, Engineering and Math) careers. This is accomplished by exposing the students toreal-life, problem-based challenges, solved in a cooperative learning environment and stimulatedby lesson plans collaboratively implemented by their classroom teacher and visiting Navyscientists and engineers (S&Es). It makes science and math connections between the classroomand real life, supplies

Conference Session

Assessment of K-12 Engineering Programs & Issues

Collection

2010 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Michele Strutz, Purdue University; Matthew Ohland, Purdue University; Erin Bowen, Purdue University; Eric Mann, Purdue University

Tagged Divisions

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering

Engineering Research and Learning and the Gifted Education Resource Institute. After completing a military career, he taught elementary and middle school for 7 years before entering the Ph.D. program in educational psychology at the University of Connecticut. He is interested in non-traditional identification and alternative programming for students who may have talent in the STEM disciplines but often go unrecognized with an emphasis in moving these students towards creative/innovative thought within the context of these disciplines. Page 15.663.1© American Society for Engineering Education, 2010

Conference Session

Gender and Accessibility Issues in K-12 Engineering Education

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Linda Hirsch, New Jersey Institute of Technology; John Carpinelli, New Jersey Institute of Technology; Howard Kimmel, New Jersey Institute of Technology; Ronald Rockland, New Jersey Institute of Technology; Joel Bloom, New Jersey Institute of Technology

Tagged Divisions

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering

Institute of Technology offers a series ofsummer programs designed to increase academically talented students’ interest in the fields ofscience, mathematics, engineering and technology in an effort to increase the number of youngstudents, particularly girls and other traditionally underrepresented minorities, who pursuetechnological careers. One program in particular, Woman in Engineering and Technology,called FEMME, was designed specifically for young women in an effort to increase the numberof women interested in engineering and other technological careers. Most of the programs spangrades four to eight because middle school is such an important time for all students to beginthinking about future careers. Research on engineering recruitment

Conference Session

Gender and Minority Issues in K-12 Engineering

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Tiffany Iskander, University of Utah; Paul Gore, University of Utah; Cynthia Furse, University of Utah

Tagged Divisions

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering

AC 2009-1733: GENDER DIFFERENCES IN EXPRESSED AND MEASUREDINTERESTS IN ENGINEERING-RELATED FIELDS OVER A 30-YEAR SPANTiffany Iskander, University of Utah Tiffany Iskander is a first year doctoral student in the Counseling Psychology program at the University of Utah. Her research interests are focused on the expressed and measured gender differences and areas of interest in college bound students.Paul Gore, University of Utah Paul Gore is an Associate Professor and Student Success Special Projects Coordinator at the University of Utah. His research focuses on the academic and career success of adolescents and young adults. Prior to his current position, Dr. Gore was the Director of Career

Conference Session

K-12 & Pre- College Engineering Division Poster Session

Collection

2015 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Robert Shultz, Drexel University; Daniel Edward Ueda, GRASP Laboratory, University of Pennsylvania; Jessica S Ward, Drexel University (Eng. & Eng. Tech.); Adam K Fontecchio, Drexel University (Eng. & Eng. Tech.)

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering

-based careers seems inevitable. At the same time, as personal and sensitive data isincreasingly stored online, the task of protecting this information represents another already-flourishing career field certain to grow in the coming years. While many students can efficientlyoperate computers and mobile devices, most of these same students view computers as a sort of“black box” system, with little understanding of the inner workings of a computer. Consequently,students frequently take for granted the security of the information they store or post online. Toencourage students to pursue STEM career paths well represented in the job market, this paperwill discuss a set of lessons developed for high school students to introduce basic computerscience

Conference Session

Gender and Minority Issues in K-12 Engineering

Collection

2010 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Joan Kowalski, Penn State University - New Kensington; Tracie L. Brockhoff, Penn State University - New Kensington

Tagged Divisions

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering

nontraditional careers such as engineering. Joan also displays her dedication to mentorship as advisor to the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) student chapter on campus along with advising the Tau Alpha Pi (TAP) National Honor Society for engineering technology students of the Iota Beta Chapter, Penn State New Kensington. Over the years, Joan has received numerous awards including the prestigious Penn State University’s Women’s Achievement Award in 2003 because of her commitment to the FIRSTE Program and other effective mentoring activities both on campus as well as within the community. In addition, Joan was the recipient of the Excellence in Teaching Award at Penn State New Kensington in 2005

Conference Session

Engineering in Middle Schools

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Tris West, Lewisburg Area School District; Abe Feuerstein, Bucknell University; Steven Shooter, Bucknell University

Tagged Divisions

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering

AC 2008-590: USING CYBER-INFRASTRUCTURE ENHANCED PRODUCTDISSECTION TO INTRODUCE ENGINEERING TO MIDDLE SCHOOLSTUDENTSTris West, Lewisburg Area School DistrictAbe Feuerstein, Bucknell UniversitySteven Shooter, Bucknell University Page 13.1334.1© American Society for Engineering Education, 2008 Using Cyber-Infrastructure Enhanced Product Dissection to Introduce Engineering to Middle School StudentsAbstractThis study examines the influence of engineering dissection activities on middle school students’interest in science and engineering careers. Attracting students to engineering is a matter ofgrowing concern considering that engineering related jobs are

Conference Session

Broadening Participation

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Meagan C. Ross, Purdue University, West Lafayette

Tagged Divisions

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering

facilitator, and advocate for women in STEM. Web: http://www.meaganross.com/. Page 25.1044.1 c American Society for Engineering Education, 2012 PK-12 Counselors Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors related to Gender and STEMAbstract Given the disparity of women entering engineering and other STEM occupations, it isimperative for counselors to have the correct knowledge, attitudes and behaviors (KAB) toeffectively contribute to the closing of this tremendous gender gap. In addition, PK-12counselors have a responsibility to introduce students to all types of careers, and should

Conference Session

Teacher and Counselor Professional Development

Collection

2010 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Beth Spencer, Georgia Institute of Technology; Donna Llewellyn, Georgia Institute of Technology; Marion Usselman, Georgia Institute of Technology

Tagged Divisions

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering

Students into K-12 TeachingAbstractThe Georgia Institute of Technology, a Research Extensive institution located in the center ofAtlanta, has a historic mission to create new knowledge and to train students in technologicalfields. Regulations put forth by the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia,specifically prohibit Georgia Tech from having a College of Education, so there is no unit oncampus with the mission of teaching students about pedagogy, or preparing them for a career ineducation. Further, there has been a historic institutional paradigm that equates success withplacement of Georgia Tech graduates in technical or research positions. However Georgia is indire need of more well trained STEM teachers to better prepare

Conference Session

Research and Models for Professional Development

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Mitchell J. Nathan, University of Wisconsin, Madison; Amy Kathleen Atwood, University of Wisconsin, Madison; Amy C. Prevost, University of Wisconsin, Madison; Natalie A. Tran, California State University, Fullerton

Tagged Divisions

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering

engineering education, along with Professors Sandra Shaw Courter and L. Allen Phelps.Amy Kathleen Atwood, University of Wisconsin - MadisonAmy C. Prevost, UW-Madison Ms. Prevost is a doctoral student in Education Leadership and Policy Analysis at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her research is focused on the STEM career pipeline, especially related to engi- neering, engineering education and the molecular biosciences. In addition to her work in education re- search, she is also the Director of scientific courses at the BioPharmaceutical Technology Center Institute in Madison, WI, where she coordinates curricula in the area of molecular biology.Natalie A. Tran, California State University - Fullerton

Conference Session

Gender and Minority Issues in K-12 Engineering

Collection

2010 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Laura Winn, Virginia Military Institute; Gary Winn, West Virginia University; Robin Hensel, West Virginia University; Reagan Curtis, West Virginia University

Tagged Divisions

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering

into the pipeline to engineering and technology-based careers, nor is the country doing a good job keeping existing students in the pipeline.Less well known, ironically, is another important National Academy of Sciences documenttitled, "Beyond Bias and Barriers: Fulfilling the Potential of Women in Academic Science andEngineering"2. This report says in its Executive Summary, Women scientists and engineers face barriers to success in every field of science and engineering, a record that deprives the country of an important source of talent. Without a transformation of academic institutions to tackle such barriers, the future vitality of the U.S research base and economy is in jeopardy." [In particular, while

Conference Session

Curriculum Development

Collection

2013 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Gabriella J Ducamp, University of Virginia; Crystal Jean DeJaegher, University of Virginia

Tagged Divisions

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering

Teaching About Electricity Gabriella J. Ducamp and Crystal J. DeJaegher University of Virginia Page 23.731.2INCORPORATING ENGINEERING IN MIDDLE SCHOOL SCIENCE 2 AbstractThe overarching goals of this study are to introduce engineering concepts to middle schoolstudents through digital fabrication, and increase science competency while stimulating interestin STEM careers. This pilot study incorporates digital fabrication, engineering design, andvisualizations into a comprehensive unit that integrates hardware

Conference Session

K-12 and Pre-College Engineering Poster Session

Collection

2013 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Elizabeth Ann Holden, University of Wisconsin, Platteville; Kristina M Fields, University of Wisconsin, Platteville

Tagged Divisions

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering

cancalculate their speed. They compare this value to what they estimated earlier.Evaluation of the ProgramLiz – here we should add a short discussion of what we did forassessment (and is in appendix)-assessment plan-assessment questions for curriculum leaders – I did take out the results of this, but did leave inthe questions-assessment questions for participants-final assessment reportIn post-weekend surveys given to the attendees, most indicate that the program has given them adeeper understanding of STEM fields. 100% of them agree that people in engineering or physicswork with others to solve problems, and that someone who studies engineering would have manypossible careers. In the physics analysis of the ropes course, students’ work showed that

Conference Session

Successful K-12 Programs for Girls & Minorities

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Bruce Gehrig, University of North Carolina at Charlotte; Deborah Sharer, University of North Carolina at Charlotte; Stephen Kuyath, University of North Carolina at Charlotte; Anthony Brizendine, University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Tagged Divisions

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering

of North Carolina at Charlotte Associate Professor, Department of Engineering Technology, Electrical Engineering Technology Program, University of North Carolina at Charlotte. PI on the NSF funded Career Opportunities for Meritorious Engineering Technology Students (COMETS) project.Anthony Brizendine, University of North Carolina at Charlotte Chair and Professor, Department of Engineering Technology, University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Page 13.23.1© American Society for Engineering Education, 2008 A Comprehensive and Integrated Approach to Increase Enrollments in Engineering

Conference Session

Gender and Minority Issues in K-12 Engineering

Collection

2010 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Tuere Bowles, North Carolina State University; Christine Grant, North Carolina State University; Pamela Martin, North Carolina State University; Eric Carpenter, North Carolina State University

Tagged Divisions

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering

endeavors while employing mixed-methods. A recurring theme in her scholarship explores gender and diversity for girls and women in environmental sciences and engineering with an emphasis on their learning, socialization and career development. She has served as an evaluator and senior researcher on the ADVANCE-ENG Girls to Women: An Innovative Engineering Faculty-Student Mentoring Summit for Underrepresented Minority (URM) Girls and Their Mothers and managed a cadre of other environmental training programs.Christine Grant, North Carolina State University Dr. Christine Grant is a Full Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular (CBE) engineering at North Carolina State University (NCSU). She

Conference Session

Addressing the NGSS, Part 3 of 3: Supporting High School Science Teachers in Engineering Pedagogy and Engineering-Science Connections

Collection

2014 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Robin L Autenrieth P.E., Texas A&M University; Cheryl A Page, Texas A&M University; Karen L. Butler-Purry, Texas A&M University; Chance W. Lewis, University of North Carolina, Charlotte

Tagged Divisions

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering

three core objectives: (1) provideengineering research experiences and enhance understanding of the nature of engineering; (2)scaffold teacher development of inquiry-based engineering classroom activities; and (3) improveteacher (and indirectly their students) knowledge about careers in engineering.The E3 program is designed to bring high school science and mathematics teachers to the TexasA&M University campus for a four-week summer residential experience where the teachers arementored by engineering faculty. During the program, teachers are involved in: (1) hands-onparticipation with current engineering research, (2) activities to broaden their awareness ofengineering career opportunities for their students, and (3) development of an

Conference Session

Robot Mania in Precollegiate Engineering Education

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Linda Hirsch, New Jersey Institute of Technology; John Carpinelli, New Jersey Institute of Technology; Howard Kimmel, New Jersey Institute of Technology; Ronald Rockland, New Jersey Institute of Technology; Levelle Burr-Alexander, New Jersey Institute of Technology

Tagged Divisions

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering

) education and mentorship activities, in an effort to help students see therewards of careers in STEM and increase students’ interest in pursuing a career in these fields.Students who participate in the centers’ programs are better prepared to pursue and successfullygraduate in STEM majors, especially engineering. The Center also conducts training institutesthat provide teachers with pre-engineering curriculum to better prepare students to enterengineering degree programs. The curriculum focuses on pre-engineering skills and teachers aretrained to use instructional strategies that support connections between standards-based science,mathematics and real world engineering. The current paper describes 1) a new training programto introduce students and

Conference Session

Out-of-School and Informal Activities

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Yair Joseph Mega P.E., Northeastern University; Claire Duggan, Northeastern University; Daniel Sullivan, Northeastern University; Lauren Horn, Northeastern University; Charles A. Dimarzio, Northeastern University

Tagged Divisions

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering

, Northeastern University; and 1981-1989 Associate Director for Finance and Administration, Center for Electromagnetics Research (CER), Northeastern University. Pub- lications/Papers: Reenergizing and Reengaging Students Interest through CAPSULE; A Novel and Evolu- tionary Method on Educating Teachers to Promote STEM Careers Jessica Chin, Abe Zeid, Claire Duggan, Sagar Kamarthi (IEEE ISEC 2011); and ”Implementing the Capstone Experience Concept for Teacher Professional Development” Jessica Chin, Abe Zeid, Claire Duggan, Sagar Kamarthi (ASEE 2011). Rel- evant Presentations: ”K-12 Partnerships” (Department of Homeland Security/Centers of Excellence An- nual Meeting 2009); ”Building and Sustaining K-12 Educational Partnerships

Conference Session

Enhancing Recruitment and Retention in Engineering Education

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Gary Winn, West Virginia University; Laura Winn, Waynesburg Central High School; Reagan Curtis, West Virginia University; Robin Hensel, West Virginia University

Tagged Divisions

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering

cities, including Atlanta,Birmingham, Knoxville, Cincinnati and Pittsburgh, are included within the region. However,West Virginia is the only state considered to be entirely within Appalachia’s borders1.It has long been believed that high-tech industries with higher-paying jobs would improve thelives of residents of Appalachia. Careers in the sciences, technology, engineering and math(STEM) are one route to improved economic stability in the region and improved quality of lifefor families and communities. Yet, by almost any measure, the difficulties in attracting highschool students to STEM careers are exacerbated in Appalachia, and especially in West Virginia.Declining population and, in particular, out-migration of college graduates and in

Conference Session

K-12 Professional Development I

Collection

2013 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Jed S. Lyons, University of South Carolina; Erica Pfister-Altschul, University of South Carolina

Tagged Divisions

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering

, andsupported a total of 96 GK-12 Fellows. A study was conducted to investigate the long-termimpact of participating in the program on the GK-12 Fellows. In 2011, former Fellows werecontacted and asked to take an online survey about their program experience, and how it affectedtheir career path after graduation. The majority of survey respondents indicated that they felt theGK-12 experience had a large or very large impact on their career path. The time spent activelyteaching in classrooms led to large impacts on teaching, communication, and presentation skills.In addition, other skills such as leadership, teamwork, and time management were also reportedto have been improved. Participants ranked teaching K-12 students – the primary activity in theGK-12

Conference Session

K-12 Engineering Outreach Programs

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Jorge Rodriguez, Western Michigan University; Tycho Fredericks, Western Michigan University; Steven Butt, Western Michigan University; Luis Rodriguez, University of Wisconsin - Waukesha

Tagged Divisions

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering

the high schoolstudents attending the institutes. Discussion on the selection process and the group dynamicsduring the workshops will be discussed as well. Given current trends in enrollments at ourinstitutions and the fact that most of the budget for these activities is coming from state agencies,the eventual effect of these activities as recruitment activities will be discussed as well.IntroductionThe United States of America is a country that thrives on technological advancement. We havean insatiable appetite for the latest technology and do not mind spending billions of dollars eachyear to satisfy our yearnings. Unfortunately, we are not as passionate about encouraging ouryouth to pursue careers in engineering and technology. The gap

Conference Session

Starting Them Early

Collection

2013 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Brianna L Dorie, Purdue University, West Lafayette; Monica E Cardella, Purdue University, West Lafayette

Tagged Divisions

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering

, read books, take children to museums, and interact with their child on adaily basis. Background knowledge of a particular subject, such as science orengineering, has the ability to affect how they interact with their children potentiallyimpacting what main concepts the children will learn1. However, many adults andchildren alike have a minimal understanding of engineering5.Several empirical studies have shown that parents play a significant role in theoccupational aspiration and career goal development of their children6-8 and that a child’sinterest is significantly impacted by the parent’s viewpoint9,10. Magnuson and Starr(2000) asserted that preschoolers’ knowledge about occupations and perceptions aboutthe world of work are shaped by the

Conference Session

Middle School Programs

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Linda S. Hirsch, New Jersey Institute of Technology; Suzanne L. Berliner-Heyman, New Jersey Institute of Technology; John D. Carpinelli, New Jersey Institute of Technology; Howard S. Kimmel, New Jersey Institute of Technology

Tagged Divisions

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering

grants focusing on professional development, curriculum, and assessment. In addition, he is a member of the assessment committee for chemical engi- neering. Page 25.846.1 c American Society for Engineering Education, 2012 Introducing Middle School Students to Engineering and the Engineering Design ProcessAbstractMiddle school is an important time for students to begin thinking about future careers becauseproper academic preparation for college must begin early for students who choose to enter thefields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM

Conference Session

Engineering in the Middle Grades

Collection

2010 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Roy McGrann, State University of New York, Binghamton; Wayne Jones, State University of New York, Binghamton; Susannah Gal, State University of New York, Binghamton; Andy Cavagnetto, State University of New York, Binghamton; Dan Brennan, Broome Community College - SUNY; Thomas O'Brien, State University of New York, Binghamton

Tagged Divisions

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering

/engineering related field (63%).Further, 65% identified new career possibilities since participating in the Go Green Institute. Analysis of the pre and post assessment data indicates that a statistically significantdifference in performance was detected. Specifically, the mean raw score increased over theinstitute timeframe and the standard deviation around the mean decreased. These data present thepossibility that the students, in aggregate, demonstrated a slightly high level of mastery whenmeasured against the same standards pre and post, and that the group as a whole came closer tosharing a common core of understanding of the content as illustrated in the fact that there werefewer low scores on the post than on the pre-assessment and that