engineering courses and other STEM programs[1-6]. Furthermore, studies indicate that enhanced 3D visualization abilities contribute tohigher retention and graduation rates, especially among underrepresented groups in thefield of engineering [7-12]. New studies add more details to the growing amount ofinformation demonstrating the need to improve the way STEM subjects are taught inschools [13-17].As a result of these obvious needs, a new program has been developed to help prepareparticipants for STEM careers by enhancing various mental skills. The focus on spatialskills was expanded to 3D visualization, analytical abilities, and pattern recognition. Theprogram has been introduced in a previous paper [18] and has seen successfulimplementation in
innovators. The Adventures inRobotics (AIR) Program at Pittsburg State University has been a pioneer in immersive summeryouth workshops for over two decades. These workshops offer a dynamic blend of activitiescatering to students aged 9-13, serving as a beacon of STEAM-focused educational enrichmentin the southeast Kansas region.The AIR Program also includes the innovative AIR Teacher Workshop, developed in 2022 withsupport from the Kansas NASA Space Grant Consortium [1]. This 11-day workshop equips K-12educators with tools and training to integrate STEAM concepts into their classrooms, utilizingthe LEGO Education SPIKE Prime set [2]. Through hands-on training and mentoring during thesummer youth workshops, teachers gain valuable teaching
schools, thecommunity, and the workplace [1]. Studies show that students who have an increased interest inscience, mathematics, and engineering in the early years (elementary and middle schools) oftheir education are more likely to pursue a STEM-related career [2]. Informal STEM educationexperiences are considered critical to developing the future STEM workforce [3]. InformalSTEM education can also help to address equity and access issues in STEM education. Studentsfrom underrepresented groups, including women and minorities, may face barriers to STEMeducation in traditional classroom settings, but informal STEM education can provide alternativeavenues for learning and engagement that are more inclusive and accessible [4]. Informal STEMeducation
. ©American Society for Engineering Education, 2024TA Training at Two R1 Institutions: A comparative analysisIntroductionTeaching assistants (TAs) play a vital role in the teaching mission of higher education institutions[1], including the College of Engineering at the University of Wisconsin- Madison and ImperialCollege London. TAs are expected to fill a variety of roles: they directly instruct students indiscussions, labs, and lectures, host office hours, and complete a large portion of the formativeand summative assessment for their students [2]. While the value of these educators is evident,training is resource-intensive and there are no standardized models of training. There are,however, some examples of good practice in this area: simulator
instructorsof technical courses that are traditionally visually-based to consider possible ways to enhance theaccessibility of their curriculum.IntroductionIn 2013, the Royal National Institute for the Blind published a study highlighting several keyissues for blind individuals in regards to access to information, including inaccessible technicalnotation and visual resources, as well as teaching methods that can rely too heavily on visualconcepts [1]. These challenges can be especially difficult to overcome in highly technical fieldslike Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). While research has longindicated that blind students are interested in participating in STEM [2], recent analyses haveshown there are still notable gaps in
from 2009 to 2016 and faculty at Purdue University – Indianapolis from 2016 to 2019. He completed a Ph.D. degree in civil engineering, focusing on construction management, from Michigan Technological University in 2008. He has an extensive teaching background with 22 years of the academic experience at five different universities. Students and departments have always praised him for his outstanding teaching and research excellence. He has been involved in numerous professional societies to supplement his teaching and research, including ASCE, ACI, ASEE, ASC, ATMAE, and TRB. His research output has been well disseminated as he has published 100+ journal papers and conference papers. His research interests are 1
integrated, and both provide opportunities for individual skill development byconducting Professional Development sessions across a variety of professional and technicaltopics. This study employs both a quantitative analysis of the utilization of professionaldevelopment and a thematic analysis of student focus groups to investigate differences acrossgenders. This study has implications for a wide range of engineering programs looking to createequitable opportunities for students.IntroductionEPICS and VIP Program HistoryThe EPICS program was founded in 1995 at Purdue University in response to a need forengineering students to gain more practical, hands-on design experience before transitioning intotheir professional careers [1]. EPICS connects teams
) byapplying a text-mining technique. The results conclude that this methodology is useful not only for graspingthe effectiveness of PBL program contents from a cause-effect perspective but is also applicable to othernonstandard teaching methods that cannot be quantitatively assessed with conventional exams.1. Background and problem statement1) Learning outcomes from techno-socio PBLsTechno-socio Project-Based Learnings (PBLs), which are designed from the combination of social issuesand technology-based solution developments through collaborations amongst public sectors, educationalinstitutions, and industries, are a very effective teaching approach for nurturing engineering skillsets andmindsets for those who will become professional engineers in the
Ph.D. in Educational Policy and Planning from UT Austin.Rachel Porcelli, Society of Women Engineers ©American Society for Engineering Education, 2024 A Multifaceted Examination of ALWE's Influence on Personal Growth and Leadership in Engineering Academia Introduction Research shows that we need more than a multifaceted approach to achieve gender equity inengineering – we need tailored and personalized responses to tackle specific challenges faced inmale-driven and dominated fields. Numerous research studies suggest that effectiveinterventions highlight the importance of programs that go beyond improving individual skilldevelopment to tackle systemic and institutional barriers [1].Such
projects [1]. Well supportedacademic makerspaces provide students with open access to resources that help them developtheir problem-solving skills, provide opportunities for collaboration, increase self-efficacy, anddevelop sense of belonging [2] [3]. Sense of belonging generally relates to self-perceptions of fitwithin a given context [4] [5] and has the ability to positively impact academic achievement andpersistence in STEM [6] [7] [8]. There is evidence to suggest that the presence of a non-intimidating, informal community established within an academic makerspace can potentiallybenefit student sense of belonging [9].Creating an inclusive community within a makerspace that promotes belonging requirespurposeful considerations. Research has
communicating ideas to an audience. Inventioneducation provides a platform for students to identify real-world challenges and devise novel andinnovative solutions, fostering a sense of self-efficacy. Encouraging invention, innovation, andan entrepreneurial mindset helps students become more self-determined and contributes tostudents’ acquiring the skills needed to shape their own future [1].Students’ sense of belonging, psychological safety, and decision-making processes about theirfuture often align with their interests and curiosity, but anxiety can negatively influence theseperceptions. The aim of this study is to examine the constructs of interest and anxiety, withrespect to science and math and specifically to inventing. Prior research efforts in
while also conducting it with partners and collaborators. ©American Society for Engineering Education, 2024 Three Bad Words: Perspectives on the Changing Landscape of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Postsecondary Institutions Jordan Williamson1 and Monica M. McGill2 1,2 Institute for Advancing Computing Education 1 jordan@csedresearch.org 2 monica@csedresearch.org Abstract Research Problem. The U.S. Supreme Court cases and state legislation have forced significant changes to higher-education institutions’ diversity, equity, and
. Ann-Perry Witmer P.E., University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign A teaching professor, researcher, lecturer, and professional civil engineer, Ann-Perry Witmer is the architect of the emerging discipline of Contextual Engineering, which merges technical design with societal understanding to improve adoption outcomes. ©American Society for Engineering Education, 2024 THE INFLUENCE OF PERSONAL EXPERIENCE &IDENTITY ON DESIGN: TEACHING POSITIONALITY TO ENGINEERSINTRODUCTIONFor more than a decade, scholars have called for the engineering profession to shift towards amore socio-technical approach [1, 2]. A majority of undergraduate engineering programs nowrequire social science or
Students' Performance and Beliefs about MathematicsInquiry-oriented (IO) instruction is one of many inductive teaching approaches that relies heavilyon active student learning. However, there are key features that distinguish IO instruction fromactive learning in other classrooms. Traditionally, if students actively participate in a universitymathematics class, it is after an instructor has presented key concepts and procedures. That is,their engagement is that of practice. In an IO classroom, however, students are expected toreinvent mathematics in their quest to solve real-world problems [1]. Therefore, the applicationsprecede and motivate, rather than follow, the theory.In an IO course, students are presented with novel problems; they are not
, and Math (STEM) careers are vital to the success of anadvanced economy [1]. People in STEM jobs represent roughly 1 in 18 workers in the UnitedStates [2]. In addition, workers in STEM earn on average 26% more than those who are notemployed in STEM fields [2]. Despite the large benefits of a STEM career, growth of STEMemployment has plateaued, and many individuals leave those fields after joining [3]. In addition,there is a significant gap between men and women working in STEM-related fields, with menoutpacing women. One potential factor in this gap can be attributed to self-efficacy.A student’s self-efficacy refers to a “Judgement about one’s ability to organize and execute thecourses of action necessary to attain a specific goal” [4, p. 1
encounter after leaving formal education” [1](p.292). This recognizes the informal and largely self-directed nature of lifelong learning. Asdiscussed in previous papers documenting this work ([2], [3]), it is important that undergraduateengineering programs develop effective lifelong learners given their need to take ownership oftheir increasingly unpredictable careers and serve the public good in a landscape of volatility,uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity (VUCA). We focus on the concept of a lifelong learningorientation, or positive disposition towards lifelong learning in terms of motivations (intentionsbehind learning) and approaches (high-level learning techniques).This study takes place at a large Canadian research institution. Our aim is
the challenges of recruitingand retaining engineers in Oklahoma and other underserved communities.Introduction and MotivationNearly forty million students use various social media platforms (SMP) [1] and studentsincreasingly use SMPs on their devices since they are generally available and easy to use [2].Social media users can do different things on various SMPs such as connecting with otherstudents, exchanging helpful links, tagging others in posts, responding to posts by others, andprivately messaging their connections. Currently, the use of SMPs are gaining traction fromeducators and students to connect, team up, and share data [3]. For example, according to a2015 study, students were more likely to use these social media platforms such as
theories, the involvement of religious values,intellectual property and legal liability, employer/employee and mentor/mentee relationships,and employee rights. Under half of the textbooks included sections on ethics in research andeducation/academia. The findings of this study can (1) provide engineering educators insightsabout the current list of thematic topics that fall under engineering ethics, (2) identify gaps inengineering ethics knowledge, and (3) offer a discussion of the opportunities to improveengineering ethics education. To the best of our knowledge, this systematic and comparativeengineering ethics textbook review is the first of its kind.I. INTRODUCTIONEngineers play a vital role in bettering humanity through technological
significant increase from the 17.8% recorded in 2010[1]. However, this growth has not been reflected in the workplace. Between 2001 and 2019, thenumber of women engineers in the workforce only rose from about 10% to 14% [2]. Theunderrepresentation of women is particularly pronounced in mechanical, electrical, and computerengineering, with only 17.5%, 15.6%, and 20.4% of bachelor’s degrees in these fields awarded towomen [1]. Furthermore, women represent only 9%, 10%, and 12% of working engineers inthese respective fields [3].For underrepresented minorities, the statistics are even more dismal. Bachelor’s degrees inengineering awarded to Black or African American individuals have risen only slightly from4.5% in 2010 to 4.7% in 2021 [1]. Hispanics now
research to better understand the influencingfactors for students’ choice in career pathways after graduation. Previous work compiled by hasshown that participation in certain activities, such as engineering internship/co-op andstudy abroad experiences can influence the career path decisions of engineering graduates [1].Extracurricular and co-curricular activities, such as club participation, undergraduate researchand mentorship opportunities, can also be influential to career path decisions [2]. Though it hasbeen noted that different demographics can choose different career pathways, most work hasbeen done to look at gender and not at race[3], [4] . Research has begun to look more at race,though many studies group all underrepresented racial
to a more qualitative understanding of the experience of an engineering classroom. Theshift towards qualitative research has been accomplished through incorporating aspects ofsociology, anthropology, and ethnography into the research process [1]. This drive toward moreholistic understanding motivated our research team to try and understand the roleproblem-solving mindsets play in the work of engineering and education faculty. Awareness ofmultiple possible mindsets when approaching problems could help educators be more effective inthe classroom. Further, if educators displayed a noticeable preference for a particular mindsetwhen approaching issues in the classroom, helping them to understand this tendency could helpraise awareness of
) Fluid Dynamics Technical Committee provided the list of CFD-relatedconcepts and different approaches to introduce CFD into a undergraduate engineeringcurriculum [1]. Integrating CFD topics into a fluid mechanics course is a suitable approach tobenefit engineering students in general, while a separate CFD course is more appropriate toengineering students who are interested in CFD research or careers. [2] and [3] designed separateundergraduate CFD courses and provided the detailed information on course contents andassigned projects. There are a number of studies that integrated CFD topics into theirundergraduate fluid mechanics courses to increase students understanding of flow behaviors( [4], [5], [6], [7], [8], [9]). In the present study, the
Education, 2024Increasing Sense of Belonging for Low-Income Engineering Students: A Review of Barriers, S-STEM Programs, and Future DirectionsIntroductionObtaining a postsecondary degree is associated with positive gains for graduates, includingincreased earnings, higher levels of employment, and better health [1][2]. An increase inearnings levels aids in working against equity issues in education and society. For example,college graduates earn on average $24,900 more than high school graduates [1]. Although thereare positive outcomes for low-income students (LIS) who obtain a college degree, this studentpopulation continues to struggle with higher education access and retention. Institutionscontribute to the continuation of
CRITL national and the Editorial Board for the Engineering Education Review an International Journal. ¨Michael M. Malschutzky, Hochschule Bonn-Rhein-Sieg, Germany Michael M. Malsch¨utzky is a Research Associate at the Centre for Teaching Development and Innovation (ZIEL) as well as Affiliate Faculty at the Department of Management Sciences at Hochschule Bonn-Rhein-Sieg, University of Applied Sciences (H-BRS), Germany. He received his Diplom-Ingenieur (FH) in Mechanical Engineering from H-BRS in 2005. After working as Test & Validation Engineer (TIER-1) and Program Management Engineer (OEM) in the automotive industry, he returned to academia in 2013, receiving his BSc (2017) and MSc (2023) in
studycreates a visual map of the holistic engineering education experience. Case studies 1 and 2compare traditional and creative data visualization techniques, whereas case study 3 introducesnew visualization for understanding the engineering education field. Bar plots, heatmaps,infographics, and systemograms are explored in this paper. This work not only enhances theunderstanding of the critical issues addressed in the case studies but also highlights the potentialof creative data visualization in addressing multifaceted challenges.IntroductionAcademic research in all fields is driven and supported by data. It is fundamental to decisionmaking as it provides evidence to support hypotheses, refute past claims, and give insight topatterns and trends
. Facilitated by a diverse team of 12 multinational lecturers from5 countries (Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines), these programs offer aninterdisciplinary educational experience consisting of technology, history, and cultures of Asiancountries to enhance participants' self-efficacy [1]. VAx was initiated as a response to satisfy thedesperate demand for mobility programs hampered by the COVID-19 pandemic, providing aDigital Transformation solution that offers borderless mobility programs regardless of locationand budget limitations. After three batches in 2021 and 2022 with a total of 239 certificateawardees, the program transitioned to a hybrid model in 2023. Of the 88 registered participantsfrom 10 different nationalities, 44
graduate students totrain as interdisciplinary thinkers and produce innovative interdisciplinary research. This papermay also be a guide to current and future NRT programs to help them pursue elements of thetraineeship that are most effective.IntroductionAcademic departments often work in silos, thus giving fewer opportunities for graduate studentsand faculty from different departments to interact and for graduate students to gain the skillsneeded to do interdisciplinary research. Interdisciplinary research and collaboration have severalbenefits such as addressing complex research questions and social problems and having a moreproductive team [1] [2]. The National Science Foundation (NSF) has funded interdisciplinarytraining at the graduate
become partof the general high school curriculum. In the final sections, we discuss the integration aspectsand conclude the paper and offer some prospects for future work.Background and Related WorkWorkforce development requires providing relevant and up-to-date knowledge to students toprepare them to take on the various roles in the workforce. In STEM fields, this requires rigorouscurriculum and in-depth technical coverage in the fields of study. One of the problems collegesfacing is the lack of interest in STEM fields among high school students [1]. Another problem isthe under preparedness of these students for the rigorous college curriculum required in theSTEM fields. The discussion of why students do not go for STEM programs and what
bottom line as well as measurement methods to trackenvironmental performance and the social impacts of construction activities. Sustainability keyperformance indicators (KPIs) are essential metrics used to track sustainability performance.Offering our future construction workforce knowledge about sustainability KPIs is fundamentalto achieving a sustainable future. The goals of this research are to: (1) understand the gap inconstruction management (CM) students’ knowledge related to sustainability KPIs and overallsustainability; (2) evaluate the significance of integrating sustainability topics, includingsustainability KPIs, into CM curricula; and (3) determine the most efficient teaching methodsand instructional tools for introducing