Conference Session

WORKSHOP I: Integrating Service Learning into First-Year Engineering Courses: A Hands-On Workshop

Collection

FYEE 2025 Conference

Authors

Kathryn Schulte Grahame, Northeastern University; Brian Patrick O'Connell, Northeastern University; Anne Shea, Northeastern University; Kennedy Gallagher, Northeastern University

Tagged Topics

FYEE 2025

will provide actionablestrategies grounded in educational research and real-world implementation.Background and ContextWhy Service Learning?Service-learning is a dynamic teaching tool that empowers faculty to seamlessly integrateacademic course content with meaningful community-based experiences. This pedagogicalapproach purposefully engages students in active learning situations that foster deeperunderstanding of subject matter while simultaneously developing competencies tied to criticalconsciousness and social impact [1]. The classroom and community components work in tandem,creating a symbiotic relationship where theoretical knowledge enhances practical application andreal-world experiences enrich academic discussions. Through this process

Conference Session

Full Papers II

Collection

FYEE 2025 Conference

Authors

Haritha Malladi, University of Delaware; Marcia Gail Headley, University of Delaware; Pamela S. Lottero-Perdue, Towson University

Tagged Topics

FYEE 2025

methods research designs for educational research.Dr. Pamela S. Lottero-Perdue, Towson University Pamela S. Lottero-Perdue, Ph.D., is Professor of Science and Engineering Education in the Department of Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences at Towson University. She has integrated engineering into courses for PreK-8 teacher candidates, developed and directed a graduate STEM program for PreK-6 teachers, and partnered with teachers to implement PreK-8 science-integrated engineering learning experiences. She has authored numerous engineering-focused teacher practitioner articles, chapters, and research articles, and presents her research regularly through the ASEE Pre-College Engineering Education Division, a division

Conference Session

Full Papers III

Collection

FYEE 2025 Conference

Authors

Qudsia Tahmina, The Ohio State University at Marion; John Francis Simonis, The Ohio State University at Marion

Tagged Topics

Diversity, FYEE 2025

students in the United Statesare not fully aware of the STEM career opportunities available to them [3]. Furthermore, persistence inSTEM college majors is influenced by factors such as high school performance in math and science, resultsfrom STEM placement exams, the aspiration to pursue graduate degrees and a strong sense of self-efficacyin STEM fields [4]. Outreach events promoting STEM fields for K-12 students come in many differentforms [5]. Age-appropriate activities have been proven to benefit students at all educational stages, oftenencouraging interest in STEM-related careers and are effective in raising awareness [6]. This paper focuseson one such level-appropriate activity that would help impact students’ perspectives on STEM

Conference Session

Full Papers III

Collection

FYEE 2025 Conference

Authors

Aysa Galbraith, University of Arkansas; Leslie Bartsch Massey, University of Arkansas; Heath Aren Schluterman, University of Arkansas; Latisha Puckett, University of Arkansas; Gretchen Scroggin, University of Arkansas

Tagged Topics

FYEE 2025

company CEO) via an interactive tool in the course’s Blackboard Ultralearning platform [8]. Using the results of their research and interview, the team writes a two-page or less summary paper outlining the currently existing solutions, feedback questions andresults, and their takeaways from the CEO interview.With this foundation, the team begins designing their innovative product by completing a ProjectDesign Canvas. This outlines how the product works, its function, its impact, how it differs fromexisting solutions, and includes a detailed sketch. The project concludes with a posterpresentation, where teams showcase their product and give a 2–3 minute talk. To encourageparticipation, each student completes online feedback forms for at least two

Conference Session

WIP II

Collection

FYEE 2025 Conference

Authors

David Kriesberg, University of Maryland College Park; Evan Hutzell, University of Maryland College Park; Richard Blanton, University of Maryland College Park

Tagged Topics

FYEE 2025

regularly engage with MSI spaces for research, instruction, and creativeexploration. The initiative was recognized by Newsweek and Make: magazines as one of the topacademic makerspace ecosystems [3].Challenges and Lessons Learned While MSI’s growth and impact are encouraging, its evolution has not been withoutobstacles. Funding remains a persistent challenge, particularly for spaces that rely on limiteddepartmental budgets. Staff bandwidth is also a constraint; many MSI leaders balancemakerspace responsibilities with teaching or administrative roles. The loss of student staff duringthe pandemic created knowledge gaps and revealed vulnerabilities in our peer mentorshippipeline. To address these issues, MSI has adopted several adaptive