Conference Session

WIP Poster Session: Emerging Research and Practices in Pre-College Engineering Education

Collection

2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Jabari Wilson, University of Florida; Atayliya Natasha Irving, University of Florida; Kimberly Jacoby Morris; Jeremy A. Magruder Waisome, University of Florida

Tagged Divisions

Pre-College Engineering Education Division (PCEE)

. Upon graduating, Atayliya aspires to pursue a career that broadens interest and representation in the STEM + C fields. Atayliya N. Irving is currently pursuing her Ph.D. at the University of Florida (UF). She initially enrolled in the electrical and computer engineering (ECE) department at UF, but later switched to the engineering education department in her second semester. Atayliya holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Jackson State University (JSU), which she earned in the spring of 2022. While studying at JSU, she conducted research with the Engineering Research Development Center (ERDC) in the Critical Infrastructure-Cyber Protection (CICP) program. During her time there, she worked on research

Conference Session

Inspiring Future Engineers: Targeted Summer Programs for Diverse STEM Pathways

Collection

2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Xi Wang, Drexel University; Lingzi Wu, University of Washington; tianjiao zhao, East Carolina University; Yinhai Wang, University of Washington

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Pre-College Engineering Education Division (PCEE)

current issues in technology,environmental sustainability, and human resources, a holistic approach is essential – beginningwith early student engagement and education before college. K-12 outreach programs led byuniversities are designed to introduce students to various fields and career options. Nevertheless,there is a lack of comprehensive discussion and documentation on their benefits and results,particularly in transportation engineering. This paper presents a DOT-funded summer camphosted by a university aimed at increasing the number and diversity of students pursuing highereducation and careers in transportation-related fields. The camp curriculum comprised lecturesby senior transportation professionals, student-led projects, field trips

Conference Session

Integrating Environmental Justice and Sustainability in K-12 Engineering Education

Collection

2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Mohamed Khalafalla, Florida A&M University - Florida State University; Tejal Mulay, Florida A&M University - Florida State University; Doreen Kobelo Regalado, Florida A&M University - Florida State University; Kyle Spence, University of North Carolina at Charlotte; Behnam Shadravan, Florida A&M University

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Pre-College Engineering Education Division (PCEE)

Paper ID #45863Decarbonization Education for K-12: A Pilot Study on Transforming StudentPerceptions and Career Trajectories in Clean EnergyMohamed Khalafalla, Florida A&M University - Florida State University Dr. Mohamed Khalafalla is an Assistant Professor of Construction Engineering at Florida A&M University’s School of Architecture and Engineering Technology. His research expertise includes risk analysis, cost estimating, and concrete materials research. Dr. Khalafalla has contributed extensively to projects sponsored by the Department of Energy and the Tennessee Department of Transportation, conducting studies in

Conference Session

Inspiring Future Engineers: Targeted Summer Programs for Diverse STEM Pathways

Collection

2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Federica Aveta, Wentworth Institute of Technology; Afsaneh Ghanavati, Wentworth Institute of Technology; Marisha Rawlins, Wentworth Institute of Technology; Pilin Junsangsri, Wentworth Institute of Technology

Tagged Divisions

Pre-College Engineering Education Division (PCEE)

Paper ID #46546Designing effective STEM outreach activities to inspire students to ultimatelypursue careers in the Electrical and Computer Engineering fieldsDr. Federica Aveta, Wentworth Institute of Technology Federica Aveta received the B.S. and M.S. degrees in Electronic Engineering from La Sapienza University, Rome, Italy, in 2012 and 2016, respectively, and the Ph.D. degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Oklahoma (OU), Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 2020. Before joining Wentworth Institute of Technology, Federica has worked as an Optical Engineer where she designed, built, and tested optical fiber

Conference Session

Expanding STEM Access and Belonging: Programs and Practices for Inclusive K–12 Engagement

Collection

2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Valentina Kuskova, University of Notre Dame; Sugana Chawla, University of Notre Dame; Robyn Brenza Kress; Stacy Garrett-Ray; Kim R Jassem MHA, MSDA, PMP, Ascension Foundation

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Pre-College Engineering Education Division (PCEE)

benefit of industry and society.Prof. Sugana Chawla, University of Notre DameRobyn Brenza KressStacy Garrett-RayKim R Jassem MHA, MSDA, PMP, Ascension Foundation ©American Society for Engineering Education, 2025 Fostering STEM Engagement: Evaluating the Impact of the #GOALS Program on Middle-School Students' Interest and Motivation in Science and Technology (Evaluation) Valentina Kuskova 1, Sugana Chawla1, Robyn Kress 2, Stacey Garrett-Ray2, Kim Jassem2 Abstract The #GOALS (Go Out and Love Science) program, spearheaded by the Ascension Foundation for Health Equity, aims to engage middle school students from underserved communities and ignite their interest in healthcare careers. It is currently

Conference Session

Innovative Pathways in K–12 STEM: Bridging Emerging Technologies and Engineering Education

Collection

2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Yubin Lee, Purdue University at West Lafayette (COE); Greg J Strimel, Purdue University at West Lafayette (PPI); Tori Constantine, Purdue University at West Lafayette; Deana M. Lucas, Purdue University at West Lafayette; Emily M. Haluschak, Purdue University at West Lafayette (COE); Tamara J Moore, Purdue University at West Lafayette (PWL) (COE); Morgan M. Hynes, Purdue University at West Lafayette (PWL) (COE); Siddika Selcen Guzey, Purdue University at West Lafayette (PWL) (COE)

Tagged Divisions

Pre-College Engineering Education Division (PCEE)

circuits that power today’s technology. Following the passage of theCHIPS (Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors) and Science Act of 2022, investments inUnited States semiconductor production have surged, highlighting the need for workforce development tosupport this expanding industry. In response, efforts have emerged to introduce semiconductor content intoK-12 education, aiming to inspire and prepare students for engineering and technology careers in thiscritical field. This work-in-progress paper explores how one K-12 workforce development initiative seeksto vertically align semiconductor education across entire school districts, ensuring that learning andexperiences progressively build in complexity from kindergarten through

Conference Session

PCEE Instructional Showcases

Collection

2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Alexis Grace Daniels, The Johns Hopkins University; Alisha Nicole Sparks, The Johns Hopkins University; Michael L Falk, The Johns Hopkins University; Allison Reigel, The Johns Hopkins University; Rachel E Durham; Margo K Williams, The Johns Hopkins University; Emily J Yanisko, American University

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Pre-College Engineering Education Division (PCEE)

adulthood, career and college readiness, community schools, and research-practice partnerships.Margo K Williams, The Johns Hopkins University Margo Williams is an Instructional Design Manager at Johns Hopkins University’s Whiting School of Engineering. She supports a portfolio of engineering and applied science courses and programs within the Whiting School, including BOAST over all five years of program testing, implementation, and refinement over multiple learning management systems (Blackboard, Blackboard Ultra, and Schoology). She holds a B.A. in English from St. Mary’s College of Maryland, and a graduate certificate in Instructional Systems Development and an M.S. in Human Centered Computing from University of

Conference Session

Harnessing AI and Collaborative Platforms to Personalize and Innovate K-12 STEM Curriculum

Collection

2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Yash Ajay Garje, Purdue University at West Lafayette (COE); Shauna Adams, Purdue University – West Lafayette (College of Engineering); Bruce Wellman, Purdue University at West Lafayette (COE); Morgan M Hynes, Purdue University at West Lafayette (COE)

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Pre-College Engineering Education Division (PCEE)

semiconductor manufacturing highlights the need forrobust, resource-rich educational programs that expose students to the semiconductor andmicroelectronics fields. While formal education platforms and programs exist, they often remainrelatively inaccessible to many students, especially those who are still deciding whether topursue careers in STEM and are constrained by restrictive standards and coursework that haslittle room for such new content. This makes informal education avenues essential for attractingand retaining an interest in STEM, especially semiconductors [7]. According to [8], informaleducation provides students with opportunities to participate, practice, and feel a sense ofbelonging in the STEM ecosystem, positioning them well for making

Conference Session

Empowering Pre-College Students through AI and Computer Science: Standards, Self-Efficacy, and Social Impact

Collection

2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Shana Lee McAlexander, Duke University; George Delagrammatikas, Duke University

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Pre-College Engineering Education Division (PCEE)

Paper ID #48806Pre-college design ”Tech for Good”: As a member of a collaborative team,students believe they can change the world.Dr. Shana Lee McAlexander, Duke University As Associate Director, Shana leads grant operations for the Harnessing AI for Understanding & Designing Materials (aiM Program), a Research Traineeship program supported by the National Science Foundation. She also serves as Associate Director of Duke STEM Academy, an immersive summer high school program featured in this paper. Shana’s research interests revolve around STEM Education; representation in science and engineering careers; access to

Conference Session

Equity, Identity, and Pedagogy in Pre-College Engineering Education

Collection

2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Rasha Malaeb, American University of Beirut; Elsa Maalouf, American University of Beirut; Aya Mouallem, Stanford University; Jana Sabra, American University of Beirut

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Pre-College Engineering Education Division (PCEE)

approach. We conducted around of open coding, followed by focused coding. This allowed us to generate our findingsinductively and directly from the raw data, and we further analyzed the former in the context ofthe Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT). We also conducted inter-rater reliability checks tobolster the research quality of our work. Our preliminary findings indicate that stereotypes,exposure to women engineers’ experiences, and the perception of certain engineering fields asmale-dominated influenced women’s decisions to pursue engineering studies. Additionally, highschools, universities, the media, and governmental policies were perceived as influential factorsby the female survey respondents. These diverse cultural and institutional

Conference Session

Evaluating Pre-College STEM Programs: Longitudinal Impact, Integration, and Engagement

Collection

2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Jiwon Kim, Purdue University at West Lafayette (COE); Woongbin Park, Purdue University at West Lafayette at West Lafayette; Abigail Erskine, Purdue University at West Lafayette (PWL) (COE); Knic Austin Royer, Purdue University at West Lafayette (COE); Hui-Hui Wang

Tagged Divisions

Pre-College Engineering Education Division (PCEE)

skills. ● Rubric 3. STEM Workforce Readiness: Increasing student awareness of STEM career opportunities and pathways to further education. ● Rubric 4. STEM Interest, Engagement, and Identity: Cultivating STEM interest and identity requires culturally relevant, open-ended, and localized learning experiences that allow students to be recognized as experts. ● Rubric 5. Ability to Make STEM Connections: Recognizing interdisciplinary applications of concepts, engaging in practices that draw on knowledge from multiple disciplines, and understanding when and how to apply STEM knowledge.Bauer (2023) used this iSTEM rubric to analyze pre-service teachers' (PSTs) conceptualizationof trans- and interdisciplinary approaches to STEM

Conference Session

Reimagining STEM Transitions: Bridging Gaps and Building Resilience in Post-Pandemic Education

Collection

2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Alexis Daniels, The Johns Hopkins University; Michael L Falk, The Johns Hopkins University; Rachel E Durham, Notre Dame of Maryland University; Alisha Nicole Sparks, The Johns Hopkins University; Allison Reigel, The Johns Hopkins University; Margo K Williams, The Johns Hopkins University; Karen Watkins-Lewis, Morgan State University; Emily J Yanisko, American University

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Pre-College Engineering Education Division (PCEE)

University’s Whiting School of Engineering where he has served on the faculty since 2008 with secondary appointmeRachel E Durham, Notre Dame of Maryland University Rachel E. Durham (PhD, Sociology and Demography, Pennsylvania State University) is an Associate Professor in the School of Education at Notre Dame of Maryland University, and a Senior Fellow with the Baltimore Education Research Consortium (BERC). With a background in sociology of education, education policy, and demography, her research focuses on graduates’ transition to adulthood, career and college readiness, community schools, and research-practice partnerships.Ms. Alisha Nicole Sparks, The Johns Hopkins University Alisha Sparks serves as the Executive

Conference Session

Empowering Pre-College Students through AI and Computer Science: Standards, Self-Efficacy, and Social Impact

Collection

2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

S. Shailja, Stanford University; Thomas John Williams, University of California Merced; Ayush Pandey, University of California Merced

Tagged Divisions

Pre-College Engineering Education Division (PCEE)

theArtificial Intelligence (AI) workforce in this two-year impact study from Fall 2022 to Fall 2024.Thus, our findings are relevant for optimizing pre-college to college education pipelines to meetworkforce needs in engineering, AI, and the Computer Science (CS) industry.To study the impact of the pre-college AI education program on student progression, we conductedfocus group interviews in Fall 2024, two years after the pre-college program. With thematic analy-sis, we quantify student and program outcomes by synthesizing four themes: social and emotionallearning, self-efficacy, career readiness, and program impact. To formally validate human thematicanalysis, we ask: (RQ1) What methods can validate heuristic thematic analysis for reliable studyof

Conference Session

Inspiring Future Engineers: Targeted Summer Programs for Diverse STEM Pathways

Collection

2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Mir M Hayder, Savannah State University; Alberto G De La Cruz, Savannah State University

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Pre-College Engineering Education Division (PCEE)

occupations in the state (15.5%).In line with the nationwide trend, there is an identical statewide and local pressing demand tostimulate and sustain the interest in STEM careers for K-12 students, particularly for URM andfemale students, with many ‘dropping out’ of the STEM career trajectory starting in middlegrades. In the state of Georgia, there is a significant disparity between the number of computingdegrees and certificates awarded to students of color compared to White students and thatawarded to female students compared to their counterparts; only about one-third of such degreesare awarded to the students of color and around 40% to females [3]. According to the NationalGirls Collaborative Project (NGCP) [4], there exists a large gap in the K

Conference Session

Advancing Robotics Education: Frameworks, Platforms, and Teacher Preparation for K-12 Engagement

Collection

2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Joshua Montgomery, THE Ohio State University & Southern State Community College; Amy Perkins-McClellan, Southern State Community College; Ayanna Howard, The Ohio State University

Tagged Divisions

Pre-College Engineering Education Division (PCEE)

. Survey results indicatethat high school students, after participating in the program, were more likely than the nationalaverage of STEM high school students to have an interest in exploring a career in computerscience. These results (40% versus 11%) suggest that the program fosters a pipeline of futureinnovators and problem solvers while building a stronger community with a well-educatedworkforce capable of addressing local needs. This study also highlights the positive impact oncollege students, as they enhance their skills through mentoring and guiding younger learners,cultivating their confidence around the social impact engineers can have in the community.IntroductionAlthough engineering has been a major discipline since the 18th century

Conference Session

Building Engineering Identity and Practice in Rural and Pre-College Contexts

Collection

2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Hengtao Tang, University of South Carolina; Yingxiao Qian, University of South Carolina

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Pre-College Engineering Education Division (PCEE)

ability to succeed inengineering tasks, is a crucial predictor of whether students remain engaged in engineeringeducation or pursue engineering as a college major. This is especially critical in rural settings,where access to engineering education or career development opportunities may be limited. Toaddress this, the mixed methods study implemented a 3D printing experience centered on engagingstudents in hands-on making and tinkering activities. The quantitative component employed adesign one-group pre- and post-test design using a modified version of Mamaril et al.’s (2016)engineering self-efficacy survey to assess students’ self-efficacy levels before and after theirparticipation in the 3D printing activities. The qualitative inquiry focused

Conference Session

WIP Poster Session: Emerging Research and Practices in Pre-College Engineering Education

Collection

2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Nicholas Choi, University of California, Irvine; Kan Li, University of California, Irvine; Kristin Roher, University of California, Irvine; Liang Li Wu, University of California, Irvine

Tagged Divisions

Pre-College Engineering Education Division (PCEE)

coursework-based experience.In addition, students attended a series of educational and professional development seminars,including college preparation, engineering career pathways, research center tours, anddemonstrations from members of the university research community and local engineeringcommunity. Exposing students to relevant engineering workshops allowed high school studentsto be motivated and inspired by different learning opportunities and to understand potentialapplications of their degrees in future careers. We assessed the success of the programimplementation through a post-camp survey to all student participants, specifically on studentlearning outcomes of understanding design and fabrication, as well as the effectiveness of

Conference Session

Equity, Identity, and Pedagogy in Pre-College Engineering Education

Collection

2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Kelly Anderson, University of North Carolina at Charlotte; Gretchen Dietz, Western Carolina University

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Pre-College Engineering Education Division (PCEE)

cooperation, communication,creativity, and collaboration. These soft skills positively impact students development, includingtheir career development [1]. STEM Summer Camps, especially those who focus on hands-onlearning and laboratory experiences can improve students’ interest in and persistence in STEMfields [2]. In addition to the skills and knowledge developed, Camps on Campus allow studentsto engage with faculty, staff, students, and university facilities to enrich their experiences andallow for a greater sense of self efficacy as campers see themselves as university students.The access to high quality facilities, including university laboratories and faculty who lead theselabs, is an important aspect of our campus. Not only are these facilities

Conference Session

PCEE Instructional Showcases

Collection

2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Kimberly Wilkens, University of Virginia; Hannah Moore, University of Virginia; David Chen, University of Virginia

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Pre-College Engineering Education Division (PCEE)

students feel CAD. empowered, capable, and connected to CEE track examples: Bridge-building, peers and mentors. recyclable scavenger hunt, and insulated Foster STEM Pathways: Increase awareness house challenges. of STEM career opportunities and post- Lab tours: Participants explore inspiring secondary education pathways through lab STEM labs during Tuesday and Wednesday tours, student panels, and networking tours. opportunities. Guest speakers: Lunchtime panels feature university students and

Conference Session

PCEE Instructional Showcases

Collection

2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Erica J Marti, University of Nevada - Las Vegas

Tagged Divisions

Pre-College Engineering Education Division (PCEE)

involves water and wastewater, she has strong interests in engineering education research, teacher professional development, and secondary STEM education. In 2021, Erica received the ASEE Pacific Southwest Early Career Teaching Award and two awards at UNLV for mentoring undergraduate and graduate students. She also received the Peter J. Bosscher Outstanding Faculty Advisor Award in 2019 from Engineers Without Borders and was recognized as a Nevada Woman in STEM by Senator Jackie Rosen. ©American Society for Engineering Education, 2025 Contact information: Dr. Erica Marti (erica.marti@unlv.edu) You can transmit sound via light? An engineering activity to demonstrate

Conference Session

Scaling Impactful Pre-College STEM + C Programs: Lessons from Transportation, Technology, and Engineering Camps

Collection

2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Lei Miao, Middle Tennessee State Univ.; Christopher Daniel Winfrey, Middle Tennessee State University; hongbo zhang

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Pre-College Engineering Education Division (PCEE)

Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), hosted by universities, and managedby the Department of Transportation (DOT) of each state. The purpose of the NSTI program is topromote the interests of minority and underrepresented rising high school students intransportation related career and college degrees. In summer 2024, the Engineering Technologydepartment at Middle Tennessee State University hosted our first ever NSTI program, which was4-week long and non-residential. The program offered several field trips to various places and acurriculum consisted of three components: (i) Arduino programming and robotics challenges; (ii)computer vision and drones; (iii) traffic simulation using Simulation of Urban Mobility (SUMO).During the closing ceremony

Conference Session

WIP Poster Session: Emerging Research and Practices in Pre-College Engineering Education

Collection

2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Bruce Wellman, Purdue University at West Lafayette (COE); Yash Ajay Garje, Purdue University – West Lafayette (College of Engineering); Morgan M Hynes, Purdue University at West Lafayette (COE)

Tagged Divisions

Pre-College Engineering Education Division (PCEE)

students’ participation in a two-week summerworkforce development program focused on microelectronics (Work in Progress)Overview of the project:This study explored the impact of a stipend on high school students’ participation in a two-weeksummer workforce development program focused on microelectronics. The two-week programwas part of a Midwest economic development organization’s multi-tier plan to attract newcompanies to their region focused on the semiconductor and microelectronics industries. As partof this plan to attract this new industry, the regional economic development organization fundeda two-week workforce development program for high school students to learn more aboutsemiconductors and microelectronics and career pathway options

Conference Session

WIP Poster Session: Emerging Research and Practices in Pre-College Engineering Education

Collection

2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Xingchen Wei, Vanderbilt University; Jialing Wu, The Ohio State University; Stacy S Klein-Gardner, Vanderbilt University

Tagged Divisions

Pre-College Engineering Education Division (PCEE)

,” was added during the second round ofcoding to help fully capture what parents value.The preliminary results show that parents have basic ideas about engineering. Some of them haveexposure due to their family background and have constructed an image of their child as a diligentand talented student. They also view their children’s involvement in engineering education positively,as it benefits their college applications and career choices. However, as engineering courses do notcurrently count towards Advanced Placement (AP) credits, parents express concerns about balancingthe time to take engineering courses and fulfill perceived AP requirements for college admission.Parents’ actions are limited by a lack of information and connections with

Conference Session

Scaling Impactful Pre-College STEM + C Programs: Lessons from Transportation, Technology, and Engineering Camps

Collection

2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Joshua E. Katz, University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign; Yang Victoria Shao, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign; Yuting W. Chen, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Tagged Divisions

Pre-College Engineering Education Division (PCEE)

Engineering Education, 2025A Comparison Between a Week-Long Electrical and Computer EngineeringSummer Camp’s Session on Middle School Students’ Interests in STEM(Evaluation)Abstract: Middle school is a crucial period for students developing interests, forming identities,and exploring career choices. STEM summer programs have demonstrated that these aspects canbe effectively influenced by including various hands-on learning activities. Structuring the campsto have interactive, hands-on sessions is vital to aligning students’ values and interests withinSTEM disciplines. Within these summer camps, it is essential to identify which activitiessignificantly increase the students’ likelihood of pursuing careers in STEM fields. This studycompares two cohorts

Conference Session

PCEE Instructional Showcases

Collection

2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Julian Andrew Schmitt; Marlene Urbina; Alexander Michael Perhay; Chance William Tyler, Illinois State University; Jeritt Williams, Illinois State University; Matt Aldeman, Illinois State University; Jin Ho Jo; Allison Antink-Meyer, Illinois State University

Tagged Divisions

Pre-College Engineering Education Division (PCEE)

University. ©American Society for Engineering Education, 2025 Energy Grid Card GameThe Energy Grid Card Game was designed for pre-college students (grades 6-12) tobe played in an informal learning environment. The game explores the technical,environmental, and economic choices and challenges of using energy resourcesthroughout our daily lives. Undergraduates at Illinois State University designed theactivity as part of the NSF-funded SUPERCHARGE project, which seeks to improveaccess to STEM college and career pathways while making connections toengineering and sustainability-related problems that can be addressed in theircommunities. Designed for 2-5 players, each player first draws an

Conference Session

PCEE Instructional Showcases

Collection

2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Julian Andrew Schmitt; Marlene Urbina; Alexander Michael Perhay; Chance William Tyler, Illinois State University; Jeritt Williams, Illinois State University; Matt Aldeman, Illinois State University; Jin Ho Jo; Allison Antink-Meyer, Illinois State University

Tagged Divisions

Pre-College Engineering Education Division (PCEE)

Illinois State University. ©American Society for Engineering Education, 2025 olar Energy Activities ShowcaseThe following activities are examples from a unit of study that focuses on harnessing,using, and controlling energy. These activities were designed for pre-college learners ingrades 6-12 in informal learning settings as part of [NSF grant project] byundergraduates at [University]. The goal of [project] is to promote interest in collegeand career pathways related to engineering, sustainability, and renewable energytechnologies. All activities can be freely accessed at: [REDACTED URL]In Singing SolarCircuits, studentsexperiment with solarpower by using solarcells to create music.They will connect

Conference Session

Evaluating Pre-College STEM Programs: Longitudinal Impact, Integration, and Engagement

Collection

2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Nidaa Makki, The University of Akron; Katrina B Halasa Halasa; Donald P. Visco Jr., The University of Akron; Edward A. Evans, The University of Akron; Kristin L. K. Koskey, Binghamton University State University of New York

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Pre-College Engineering Education Division (PCEE)

pandemic was disruptive to the education system across the world in countlessways. And while remote and virtual learning tried to address the challenge of content delivery,hands-on laboratory experiences which provided authentic science inquiry for high schoolstudents were impossible to replace during the pandemic. Additionally, the valuable afterschooland summer programs that supplemented such in school training (e.g., science fairs, roboticscompetitions, Science Olympiad) were not available as well. Research tells us that suchexperiences are crucial to catalyze a high school students’ interest in STEM careers [1], [2].Even more detrimental is the fact that these activities are often identified as milestones forstudents who are college-bound

Conference Session

WIP Poster Session: Emerging Research and Practices in Pre-College Engineering Education

Collection

2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Jeffrey D Radloff, SUNY, Cortland

Tagged Divisions

Pre-College Engineering Education Division (PCEE)

integrate authentic engineering activities that connect with real-worldissues like sustainability. Storytelling about sustainable engineering offers a practical method ofintroducing PSTs to authentic engineering projects, practices, and careers. This work-in-progress, funded by ASEE’s Engineering for One Planet (EOP) initiative, illustrates the impactof engaging PSTs in reading and reflecting upon a set of “Sustainable Engineering Stories”during science teaching methods courses at two institutions.During the summer of 2024, the researchers interviewed engineers from various disciplinesabout projects oriented toward sustainability. From those interviews, we created a set of eightSustainable Engineering Stories for PSTs enrolled in their elementary

Conference Session

WIP Poster Session: Emerging Research and Practices in Pre-College Engineering Education

Collection

2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Wesley Lawson, University of Maryland, College Park; Hamza Shaikh, University of Maryland College Park; Jennifer Kouo, The Johns Hopkins University

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Pre-College Engineering Education Division (PCEE)

Paper ID #45947BOARD # 217: The design of a summer camp blending bioengineering andprogramming skills for middle school girls and gender minority students(Work in Progress)Prof. Wesley Lawson, University of Maryland, College Park Prof. Lawson has earned five degrees from the University of Maryland, including a Ph,D, in Electrical Engineering in 1985. In his professional career at College Park, where he has been a full professor since 1997, he has worked on high-power microwave development, medical devices, and STEM education research for engineers, pre-service teachers, and middle/high school students.Hamza Shaikh

Conference Session

WIP Poster Session: Emerging Research and Practices in Pre-College Engineering Education

Collection

2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Maryann R. Hebda, Baylor University; Elon Terrell, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Baylor University; Morgan R Castillo, Baylor University; Anne Marie Spence, Baylor University; Tracey Sulak, Baylor University

Tagged Divisions

Pre-College Engineering Education Division (PCEE)

the camp to engineering as a field and future career.  Qualitative responses were analyzed through a process of framework analysis [4] while stayingopen to additional emergent themes. Participants’ responses provided evidence of TSI, MSI-Feeling, and MSI-Value. TSI was highlighted through a focus on the integrated nature of theactivities: “I like building things because I enjoyed seeing how to implement different thingssuch as circuits and coding together.” Participants shared that the activities were fun andinteresting because they were hands-on and they enjoyed learning something new. For example,“[I enjoyed] making the planes, because it taught me a lot about physics concepts I haven'tlearned yet.” Tackling new and challenging content was