fromautonomous vehicles and smart grids to social networks and financial markets. Future controlengineers and roboticists will need to understand the complex behaviors of large-scale networkedsystems and the challenges that distributed and unreliable communication networks can bring.Yet, traditional undergraduate control engineering curricula lack hardware-based, hands-onexperience with multi-agent systems, partly due to the cost, laboratory space, and time required toconduct experimental activities.This paper presents a low-cost experimental undergraduate testbed that provides a practical,portable small platform for studying graph theory concepts and the control of MASs. The testbedconsists of five individual rotatory 1-degree-of-freedom (DoF) links
. She is currently Professor of Mechanical Engineering ©American Society for Engineering Education, 2025 NSF IUSE: Leveraging Institutional and Community Capacities in Implementing Community-Engaged STEM PBLWith higher and faster growing wages [1], STEM-related employment has been key to buildingthriving communities. In the deindustrialized Midwest, however, cities often have poverty ratesdouble the national average, lower educational attainment, and the ‘brain drain’ problem [2].These issues create barriers to developing and retaining a regional STEM workforce andcompeting in the knowledge economy. Thus, STEM engagement is not just a nationalimperative, but critical to revitalizing these
fulfillingeducational experience for both the students and the liaison. This paper presents a comprehensiveset of guidelines to ensure a positive and productive experience for the students and liaisons.These guidelines are produced through the collection and analysis of insights into provenpractices that contribute to the success of these collaborations. This paper describes a three-phasemethodology for collecting the insights through 1) a literature survey of industry sponsoredengineering courses, 2) interviews and surveys conducted with experienced industry liaisons, and3), student evaluations from two capstone courses from two institutions. Students have diverseexpectations for their liaisons including their consistent availability, honesty, and
in 2022, 2023, and2024 to gather, effectively understand, and use institutional data as they develop their S-STEMproposals. The intended workshop audience was individuals and teams preparing proposals forthe NSF Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (S-STEM) (S-STEM) program, such as faculty principal investigators (PIs), STEM administrators, andprofessionals in institutional research and sponsored projects roles. The workshop series focusedon the institutional/student data components of the S-STEM proposal (e.g., the required datatable “regarding the pool of potential scholars and current 1-year retention rates and graduationrates for the same pool of students in each S-STEM eligible discipline” [4]). This
challenges. While this study provides valuable insights intostudent knowledge and perceptions, future research should explore the roles of faculty and industryprofessionals in shaping sustainability education, examining the impact of faculty training,industry partnerships, and professional mentorship on student learning outcomes.Keywords: Sustainable development, perception, civil engineering education, sustainableinfrastructure, sustainability assessment tools, Historically Black College and University (HBCU)1. IntroductionCivil engineers are pivotal in advancing sustainable development to achieve long-termenvironmental, social, and economic goals. The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)emphasizes that civil engineers play a key role in
disciplines to enhance collaborative efforts and skills [1], [2]. Designprojects in undergraduate STEM education can exist throughout the curriculum, in a specificdesign course, or as an extracurricular activity. Design projects can simulate real-worldexperiences to increase students’ technical and professional growth.1.1. Design Projects in STEM Education Undergraduate STEM education is developed to teach and prepare students for upcomingindustry challenges through the development of skills and knowledge [1]. Students are given theopportunity to address different types of challenges throughout their learning experiences. One ofthe challenges that students may face exists in the form of design projects. Design projects teachstudents how to apply
thickness, students canexplore Ultimate Tensile Strength (UTS). Additionally, using a torque wrench and anarrangement of gears mounted on shafts enables students to measure the angle of twist. Thesehands-on experiments foster an engaging, accessible learning environment that is directlyapplicable to their coursework.Literature ReviewMechanics of materials courses are widely recognized as challenging for both instructors andstudents due to the highly analytical and theoretical nature of the content. According to Wang etal. [1], this difficulty arises from the complex concepts involved and the disconnect betweentheoretical material behavior and students' practical experiences.In response to these challenges, several studies have highlighted the
Model for the Secondary-TertiaryTransition in Mathematics developed by Clark and Lovric [1],[2] is completed. The theoreticalmodel proposes that the secondary-tertiary transition in mathematics is a rite of passage [1],[2].During the transition, students may struggle due to differences in high school and collegemathematics [1],[2]. Because of this struggle, mathematics is commonly characterized as agatekeeper to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) degrees [3].Therefore, for mathematics-heavy STEM majors, such as engineering, mathematics courserequirements could inhibit STEM degree completion. By better understanding the secondary-tertiary transition in mathematics, student accessibility to college mathematics could
have the opportunity to make a difference in the world, and you don’t do it, then you are wasting your time on earth. ©American Society for Engineering Education, 2025 Work in Progress: Development of a Teaching Module to Elicit Retention of Conceptual Learning in the Biomedical Engineering Discipline for High School StudentsIntroductionHands-on activities implemented in the classroom can be beneficial for students to reinforce theirlearning and concept retention [1]. In previous works, it has been demonstrated that high schoolstudents need guidance to learn new concepts in biomedical engineering courses, for example tohelp them navigate potential frustration during the learning
Education, 2025 NSF-Supported DUE: Introducing Robotics through a Weaving-Based Undergraduate Curriculum: Towards Breaking STEM StereotypesIntroductionDespite efforts to make STEM fields more inclusive, engineering and computer science are stillperceived as exclusionary by women and people of color [1, 2]. STEM is also often seen as tooabstract for everyday relevance [3, 2], affecting efforts to involve underrepresented groups inSTEM [1] and change the sometimes exclusionary workplace and university cultures [4]. In thiswork, we recast the paradigm of a robotics course into a more inclusive space by highlightinginterdisciplinary collaboration in engineering and the mutual value of engineering and craftingthrough weaving – a craft that
annually. Chris has extensive experience with international work-abroad programming and cross-cultural competency.Joe Tort, Purdue University at West Lafayette (COE) ©American Society for Engineering Education, 2025 Developing a Survey Exploring the Impact of Global Undergraduate Experiences on Engineers’ Career Pathways (RFE #2308607)Engineers are increasingly required to work in a global environment – collaborating withcolleagues, suppliers, and customers across cultural and national borders. To prepare engineeringstudents for this global workplace, it is important that we support their development of globalcompetence and related skills [1]. Global engineering programs, such as study abroad
diverseengineering workforce, it is important to create a pipeline of diverse students who are interestedin engineering [1]. The Inquiry Driven Engineering Activities using Bioengineering Examples(IDEA-BioE) project was designed to engage secondary science and mathematics teachers inresearch focused on biomedical engineering and translate those experiences into modules thatteachers can implement in their classrooms.Surveys show that interest in engineering among pre-college students, especially girls andstudents from racial and ethnic minority groups, is often low (relative to other STEM fields suchas medicine), in part due to students’ lack of understanding as to what engineering is. Negativestereotypes of engineers (e.g., as “nerdy” or socially awkward
engineering and therefore itis crucial to understand any demographic discrepancies that may exist. This paper examines theconfidence of students in two second year Engineering classes by having them predict theirscores both before and after quizzes and then compares those predictions to their actualperformance. This is then broken down by student reported demographic data to supportprevious research and to determine any new emerging trends. The data suggested that studentswith lower grades tended to overestimate their performance, while higher achieving studentstended to underestimate their abilities. This lower confidence was particularly true for non-maleand older students.1. IntroductionConfidence and self-efficacy beliefs are linked to student’s
. 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) Creating Innovative Sustainable Materials, 2) Digital Construction, 3) BIM and VDC, 4) Virtual Testing Lab, 5) Construction Education, and 6) Sustainability.Narmada Vadlamudi, Kennesaw State University ©American Society for Engineering Education, 2025 Assessing the Impact of VR in Construction Management
designed toallow for students to revise and resubmit their programming tasks, have formative assessments totest their understanding, and focus on students mastering skills rather than chasing after points. Inaddition, active learning is a great way to provide hands-on engagement with the materials, whichmight prepare students better for future courses and career. This paper describes the author’sexperience in designing activities and specifications grading for an undergraduate core algorithmsand data structures course.IntroductionAlgorithms and data structure design are fundamental concepts in the computing disciplines. It islisted as an element of computing knowledge 1 2 in the ACM recommended curricula. A basicunderstanding of core knowledge in
: Problem scoping, engineering education, higher education, qualitative study.IntroductionEducating engineers begins with problem scoping—gathering data to define issues and developethical, effective solutions [1]. Research on problem scoping is limited, particularly in Easterncountries, where engineering education systems differ, making findings from Western studiesless applicable. The primary method, verbal protocol analysis (VPA), involves analyzing think-aloud interviews to compare processes between students and experts [2]. While insightful, VPAis time-intensive and unsuitable for large-scale studies. Effective training in problem scopingequips students to address technical challenges while considering stakeholder needs, societalbenefits, and
and service members (SVSM) are a unique yet understudied group thatcomprises substantial numbers of those historically underrepresented in engineering based ontheir race, ethnicity, gender, ability, or sex [1-2]. Notably, approximately 62% of veterans arefirst generation students [3]. This diversity of backgrounds and experiences, in combination withtechnical interests and skills, maturity and life experience, and leadership and teamwork training,make SVSM ideal candidates for supporting engineering education in meeting workforcedemands well into the 21st century [4].Project Goals and Work PlanThis National Science Foundation (NSF) Faculty Early Career Development Program(CAREER)aims to advance full participation of SVSM within engineering
primary teaching interests include the medical device design process in particular solid modeling and prototyping skills, while her primary research background is neuromuscular control and physical rehabilitation science.Amy L Kimball, The University of Iowa ©American Society for Engineering Education, 2025Work in Progress: Enhancing Biomedical Engineering Education throughCollaboration with Physical TherapyINTRODUCTIONPhysical therapy is growing with the increased aging population and focus on preventativemedicine to promote health and wellness [1]. The market for wearables (e.g. smart watches, VRheadsets) is expected to grow from $28.2 billion in 2021 to $66.9 billion in 2030 [2]. Thewearables industry
-efficient computing. ©American Society for Engineering Education, 2025 ECR: BCSER: Are Females Better at Debugging Circuits?IntroductionIn the semiconductor industry, debugging is sometimes called “The Schedule Killer” due to itsunpredictable and costly nature [1]. Some electronics engineers spend up to 44% of their time ondebugging tasks [2], yet this industry-critical skill is frequently omitted from undergraduatecurricula [3], [4]. Instead, students are often expected to develop debugging skills indirectlythrough projects and labs without targeted training. These challenges make teaching debugging a“million-dollar” question [5] that could improve undergraduate student outcomes and increaseworkplace
informing academic discussions on STEM diversity,this study guides future research and institutional strategies aimed at attracting more women toSTEM fields, improving their career entry and advancement, and fostering a more inclusiveprofessional pipeline.Keywords: STEM Women, Gender Equity, Gender Bias, Career Dilemmas, Inclusive STEMEducation Strategies, Mentorship and Policy ReformIntroductionThe Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) industry has experiencedsignificant growth over the past few decades, driven by economic development, technologicaladvancements, and the increasing demand for innovation [1]. Despite this expansion, genderdisparities persist, with women remaining significantly underrepresented across STEM fields
modality.IntroductionEngineering programs are challenged, via the ABET criteria, to teach, improve, and assess thecommunication skills of students. [1] Unlike technical, quantitative, engineering content,communication does not have one correct answer and thus can be a challenge to assess forengineering educators. Faculty are trained that rubrics are one major tool to allow for fairassessment of almost any type of assignment, however overly defined rubrics can stymiecreativity in communication assignments. [2]–[8] Single point rubrics are a rubric model used toprovide more qualitative feedback from the grader while still clearly conveying the learningobjectives assessed. Here we document the application of single point rubrics in a series ofEnvironmental Engineering
whilemaking something tangible [1]. These spaces have been introduced in Higher EducationInstitutions (HEIs) due to their ties with engineering activities, their potential for facilitatingprototyping, and the development of technical and non-technical skills experienced by users ofthese spaces [1], [2], [3]. It is estimated that there are currently over 1000 active makerspacesworldwide [4], with over 41% of state colleges and universities in the US having or beinginterested in having a makerspace [5]. Many researchers have already investigated the impacts ofmaking in student learning, finding links to disciplinary knowledge and professional skills [6].However, the existing literature on the impacts of making at a larger scale is scarce, which
STEM K-16. He is currently researching on best practices iKimberlee Ann Swisher ©American Society for Engineering Education, 2025Middle School Teachers Professional Development for AI Instruction through ImageSTEAM Summer Workshops: The Georgia Experience John Mativo1, Ramana Pidaparti1 1 University of Georgia, Athens GA 30602, USA and Kimberley Swisher2 and Suren Jayasurya2 2 Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ, 30602, USA AbstractThrough an NSF funded ITEST
minoritized students’ experience with engineeringclassroom assessments. Historically, the field of engineering is confronted with the issue ofunderrepresentation and the continual achievement gaps between minoritized students andmajority students in engineering education (e.g., between women and men students and raciallyminoritized and racial majority students, etc.; [1], [2], [3]). Given the amount of emphasis ofengineering education practitioners place on test scores when evaluating student performance, itis necessary for researchers to examine how engineering assessments such as exams contribute tothe consistent achievement gap between different groups of students. Moreover, it is vital forresearchers to abandon the deficit-based mindset when
, is ending in September 2025 at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), aprivate, small, STEM, predominantly white institution (PWI). The program provides an assets-based framework of wrap-around support for 20 high-achieving, low-income students fromWorcester, MA, a racially and ethnically diverse [1], high-poverty [2], local urban area, with thegoal of supporting graduates to become STEM professionals. This program supports a portion ofthe cost of on-campus housing and is paired with a commitment from WPI to support thedemonstrated financial need with scholarships in completing 4-year baccalaureate degrees. Allstudents in this program are 1st-generation college students. The 1st cohort of 10 participants wasrecruited for Fall 2020 entry, and
question.In this paper, several case studies are examined to explore the role of ChatGPT in generatingembedded systems solutions for lab practices. These case studies are based on actual studentproject assignments in a sequence of embedded systems courses, including 1 - Introduction toMicroprocessors, 2 - Embedded Systems, and 3 - Real-Time Operating Systems. Our studies havefound that though ChatGPT is a valuable tool in embedded systems teaching, it cannot replace thefoundational knowledge essential for mastering embedded systems. Practical experience and adeep understanding of embedded systems’ intricacies are still essential for success in this field. Inthe era of ChatGPT, instructors teaching embedded systems design should incorporate pop
a complete evidence-based practice paper. Engineering education aims to equipstudents with essential skills including intentional learning, curiosity, and effective collaboration[1], [2], [3] in addition to extensive training in mathematics, sciences, and engineering-specifictopics. The goal is to provide a strong technical foundation and introduce essential skills forprofessional and personal development by integrating core courses with concepts fromengineering education [2]. These essential skills help students address pressing 21st-centurychallenges, such as sustainability [4], [5], as they navigate the growing complexities of modernindustries in their careers. Curiosity, intentional learning and effective collaboration go
into traditional classification models, including Naïve Bayes, K-Nearest Neighbors,and Logistic Regression. The performance of the hybrid model is evaluated in a pass/failclassification scenario. Experimental results show that our proposed CNN-based hybridclassification model outperforms the standalone traditional model in terms of classificationaccuracy. This study introduces an innovative approach in the educational domain,demonstrating that CNNs can provide a more robust and reliable method for predicting studentperformance, especially when predicting binary results like pass or fail.1. IntroductionEducational institutions view their students as valuable assets and are committed to fosteringtheir academic success. Academic performance is a
wood, polymers, and sugarare inherently combustible. Fine Figure 1. Graphical illustration of the fire triangleparticles, typically under 400 μm, are and the dust explosion pentagon.more prone to ignition and producemore severe explosions. Uniform dispersion of the dust is critical to forming a combustible cloud,while confinement affects the pressure generated during the explosion. The dust concentrationmust fall within a specific range to sustain combustion: concentrations that are too low lacksufficient fuel, while concentrations that are too high limit oxygen availability. Humidity andmoisture significantly reduce ignition potential, and in some cases, prevent explosions entirely.Additionally, each dust type has a
., top and bottom bars, stirrups) and their placement, supporting their answers with annotatedphotos. Following the assembly and discussion, students disassembled the materials and createdsummary videos of their lab activities.To assess the effectiveness of this new lab, we conducted a comparative analysis using 10multiple-choice questions from Exam 3, consistent across both years. Questions 1-5 coveredreinforced concrete structures (treatment), while questions 6-10 addressed wood structures(control). Results showed significant improvement in reinforced concrete scores for theinstructor-consistent group from 2023 to 2024, with stable wood structure scores, suggesting thelab's effectiveness in enhancing learning specifically for reinforced