Conference Session

Research in Minority Issues

Collection

2006 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Jennifer Turns, University of Washington; Angela Linse, Temple University; Tammy VanDeGrift, University of Portland; Matt Eliot, University of Washington; Jana Jones, Microsoft Corp.; Steve Lappenbusch, University of Washington

Tagged Divisions

Minorities in Engineering

. Theprogram content and products are designed to meet the needs of graduates entering the academy.Second, our goal is to develop a scalable model for working the pipeline issue nationally. Thepeer facilitated structure is cost-effective because it does not require institutional commitment offiscal or human resources. Third, engineering graduate students are more likely to participate ina program that has “face-validity.” Our program is product-oriented and designed to help prepareparticipants for the academic job search. Finally, the program reflects our commitment andenthusiasm for individual writing and peer review as an effective process for balancingindividual reflection and social learning.Our work has not been without challenges. For example

Conference Session

Research in Minority Issues

Collection

2006 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Abhijit Nagchaudhuri, University of Maryland-Eastern Shore; Whitney Smith, UMES/Rutgers University; Uditha Poddalgoda, University of Maryland-Eastern Shore; Omar A. Omar, University of Maryland-Eastern Shore; Amy Jarrett, University of Maryland-Eastern Shore; Aaron Redden, University of Maryland-Eastern Shore; Daniel Seaton, University of Maryland-Eastern Shore; Robert Johnson, University of Maryland-Eastern Shore

Tagged Divisions

Minorities in Engineering

to experience the traditional peer-review process that generally precedes scholarly publication.This paper documents efforts pertaining to two such ACTION projects that the primary authorhas supervised since the inception of the program at UMES. The first of these projects titled:CAD assisted Assembly and Programming of Mobile Platforms involved undergraduate students,Mr. Uditha Poddalgoda and Ms. Whitney Smith through the Complete Research Cycle in the fallsemester of 2004 and spring semester of 2005. Ms. Amy Jarret, Mr. Omar A. Omar and Mr.Aaron Redden forms the undergraduate student team for the second project titled: ExploringMechanics of Material Principles using ProMechanica and MDsolids Software Packages. At thetime of writing

Conference Session

Retention Issues

Collection

2006 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Phyllis Tedford, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi; John Fernandez, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi

Tagged Divisions

Minorities in Engineering

Conference Session

Outreach and Recruitment

Collection

2006 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Stephen Kuyath, University of North Carolina-Charlotte; Deborah Sharer, University of North Carolina-Charlotte

Tagged Divisions

Minorities in Engineering

outcome directlyrelated to this competition.The Career Exploration Presentation met several objectives. High school students exploredengineering and engineering technology careers, researched typical salaries for severaldisciplines, determined what level degree they would need, costs of a college education, whatcourses they should concentrate on in high school, and additional information relevant to thetopic11. Students were then required to write a paper answering specific questions, and presenttheir findings to at least two classes at their high school. High school teachers submitted theirschool’s best papers. The five best papers were selected through a blind review process, and theauthors, along with their families and teachers, were invited

Conference Session

Outreach and Recruitment

Collection

2006 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Marsha Lee, Texas A&M University; Jan Rinehart, Texas A&M University; Scott Starks, University of Texas-El Paso; Karen Villatoro, Texas A&M University

Tagged Divisions

Minorities in Engineering

is an example of what waslooked for when partnering.Though successful precollege programs differ in their organization, length, and programelements, they do possess similar attributes and features.6 In general these include mathematicsand science preparation, hands-on laboratory experimentation, guest speakers, journal writing,exposure to the engineering workplace through field trips, and others. The TexPREP program isdiscussed from the standpoint of its serving as a model for a successful precollege program.The goals for El Paso TexPREP program are the following: • To acquaint student participants with professional opportunities in engineering; • To reinforce the mathematics preparation of these students at high school and college

Conference Session

Retention Issues

Collection

2006 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Maria M. Larrondo Petrie

Tagged Divisions

Minorities in Engineering

, critical thinkingand writing skills, dividing students into two sessions: a 12 day camp for 11th and 12th graders23,and a 9 day camp for 9th and 10th graders24, which focus on critical thinking skills in academicactivities: college level writing, research skills, logical thinking/argumentation, study skills, timemanagement, course/major selection, note taking, critical reading, and presentations. EducationalUnlimited21 and Sally Ride Science Camps25 sponsor a camp for girls for girls entering 6th to 9thgrades, are overnight 10-day camps held on college campuses designed to interest girls inscience, technology and engineering using the Sally Ride Science Curriculum. Entering 11th and12th graders can earn college credit and be introduced to the