own learning. A common misconception is that self-directedlearning can only occur in isolation from all other input from either the educator or fellowstudents. Students can work in a highly self-directed way while being a part of a larger team.Notably, a salient trend in the research suggests that students with highly developedself-directed learning skills connect and consult with a range of peers and leverage theirlearning network to make their choices about the direction of their learning [1].Foundational literature that examines the construction of a successful self-directed learningenvironment suggests that learning should reflect three distinct parts: The learner, the educator,and the learning resources [2]. Significant parts of this
their teaching on the expertise gained from the academic context where theywere educated and industry environment where they have worked. Even in current day UnitedStates, professions like structural engineering have fewer female and minority industry leadersthan those that are White Caucasian male [1], and the same follows for academics in this field.As a result, many faculty members have limited exposure to the notable published works,projects, and other contributions of under-represented individuals to share with students.Historically, entry to professions in the built environment have been riddled by barriers due togender, race, and class. This continues to negatively affect not only the number of women andminority students who choose to
two-year colleges at the institutional level and documentsvariegated results. One study [1] compares full-time enrollment between Summer2019 and Summer 2020 and finds that there was a disproportionate decrease inenrollment for male and traditional-aged students, and a total of 57.7% percentagedecrease in engineering technology enrollment during this period. On the otherhand, another survey [2] showed that students were mostly enrolled in online andhybrid courses during the Fall of 2020, and the vast majority state that their coursesmet or exceeded their expectations. In addition, when asked which instructionalmethod they would prefer in the future, 25% chose traditional face-to-face classes,45% chose online classes, and 30% chose hybrid
,experience of younger university students. Successes and lessons learned are reported from a capstone design covers three semesters- a one-credit AE Junior Design class, and two three-capstone design project whose scope included development of four Arduino rover lab activities credit senior classes (Senior Design 1 and 2). In Junior Design, students define topics, formfor a freshman class. The second approach described involves having all capstone seniors teams, and then complete a proposal that scopes their project for their senior year. Some projectscomplete an individual assignment to document a specific “tool for student success” that might are faculty-proposed or industry-sponsored, but most are proposed by
various disciplines to solve real worldproblems [1]. A call to action has been made to develop and support new educational programsfor the revision of STEM education into a more integrated model [2], [3]. To this end, guidingframeworks are necessary for identifying what concepts must be incorporated into such modelsto effectively teach STEM in an interdisciplinary manner. In particular, the Next GenerationScience Standards (NGSS) outlines the “crosscutting concepts” as the common tools and lensesshared across disciplines that may be used to bridge into alternative contexts [4], [5]. The NGSSfurther distinguishes “energy and matter” as a crosscutting concept with relevance across thefields of science and engineering. The first law of
in bearing and gear systems at the Villanova Center for Analytics of Dynamic Systems (VCADS) in PA. He graduated from the University of Yaounde 1 in Cameroon and then completed a Certificate in Teaching Engineering in Higher Education at Villanova University. Dr. Kwuimy is interested in vibration analysis and in the use of nonlinear dynamics tools to improve the early detection of fault in complex nonlinear systems. In the latest, his focus is on engineering systems (gear systems, bearings) and biological systems (vibration in human-arm, human diseases). In vibration analysis, his focus is on the conversion of mechanical vibration into electrical energy (energy harvesting). A key interest of Dr. Kwuimy is the
successful during outreach. This work may inform how we think about andconceptualize the role of outreach educators, in that EOEs may serve as a “greeter”, welcomingstudents into and helping them feel like they belong in engineering. This paper will discussimplications for engineering outreach and how to support EOEs as they balance delivery ofcontent and building relationships that foster student agency and success in engineering.IntroductionIntroducing children to role models during STEM outreach programming is believed to be aneffective means to inspire interest and exploration in STEM study and careers [1-2]. Thisapproach is based on the idea that if children see and interact with these role models, they canlearn from them, get excited, and
discussed.1. IntroductionModern engineers are now required to not only be technically adept but are also expected topossess creativity and to lead innovation [1]. Specifically, scholars see creativity, innovation,entrepreneurial knowledge, skills, and mindset as essential skills for the new generation ofengineers [2], [3]. Traditionally a domain of business schools, entrepreneurship education hasexpanded to multiple academic disciplines with this realization that students need new skills thatare marketable and valuable [4]. Engineering programs have reconceptualized entrepreneurshipeducation to foster creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurial skills and mindset in engineeringstudents [5]. With over half of ASEE member schools offering some form
andprofessional skills within the teaching framework to train successful future engineers [1]. Mostengineering programs define the core of engineering curricula as mathematics, science,engineering analysis, and design; however, students need more than just technical skills [2]. In2004, the National Academy of Engineering indicated that engineering graduates need to beprepared to address the complex technical, social, and ethical questions raised by emergingtechnologies [3]. In addition, at a recent department Industry Advisory Council (IAC) meeting,professional engineers indicated that entry-level engineers from our university have the technicalskills, but need further training in interpersonal and professional skills. However, developingstandalone
studying in the U.S. Hence, the purpose of this study is to understand the experiences ofinternational students participating in an engineering study abroad program at a single researchuniversity. We argue that understanding the impact of study abroad on international students isrelevant to enrich their academic and professional experience in the United States.BackgroundHigher education’s internationalization has increasingly garnered attention and has taken diversetrends due to the global educational experience associated benefits. Internationalization providesa mechanism that interlocks global and intercultural imperatives in the agenda of institutionaldeliverables in post-secondary education [1]. In the United States (U.S.), the emphasis
knowledge and pass it from one generation ofworkers to the next properly and succinctly. The aging workforce poses a difficult obstacle, withreports of employees within the industry nearing retirement age being published regularly in theearly 2010s [1] [2] and illustrated in Table 1 [3]. This is prevalent at the local utility, where mostsenior operations staff are at or nearing retirement age, with several purposefully asked to staybeyond their qualified retirement. The researchers completed a Knowledge ManagementCapability Assessment (KMCA) questionnaire that was validated at its publication [4]. Thisquestionnaire provided the team and the utility management with a succinct description of theKM capability of the operations and maintenance staff in
Engineering at higher rates thanmen (e.g., [1, 2, 3]). Some of the reasons that women are underrepresented in Engineering includea mismatch of values (especially being human-centered vs. machine-centered) or life goals (e.g.,not being family friendly) and lacking female mentors and role models, as mentioned in the thirdquote above (see, e.g., [4, 5, 6, 7]). More generally, women do not enter Engineering at the samerate as men and also are likely to leave more readily because they feel like they don’t belong. Thefirst quote that we shared at the beginning of this paper from a woman majoring in Engineering atour institution conveys the sentiments of women who drop classes, at least in part, because theyfeel that they do not fit in, not even in a
societalneeds and social impacts, and teachers’ development in engineering education through hands-onactivities, provides better understanding of engineering education professional development forK-12 STEM teachers.Key words: STEM integration, precollege engineering education, professional development,STEM teacher self-efficacyIntroductionEducation policy and reform have placed a major emphasis on STEM college and careerreadiness for national economic success [1]-[3]. Integrated STEM approaches in K-12 scienceand math instruction can be more engaging and meaningful for students and often meet thecurriculum content and practice goals better than single-subject lessons. In addition, studentengagement and motivation increase in math and science classrooms
EcologyThis paper reports on a work-in-progress—a study about the learning experiences ofengineering students exploring possible careers in the energy industry. It is a follow-up to aprevious study of the learning experiences of practicing engineers beginning new jobs in anenergy company [1]. The overall objective of the two studies is to map the learning ecology ofengineering students in a higher education program to the learning ecology of practicingengineers in a workplace. This paper also reports on the perspectives of engineering facultyeducating engineering students—specifically in an energy engineering program at a university.Our objective is to better understand the similarities and differences between the two learningecologies of an
were received. Selection was based on a reviewof high school transcript for academic performance, a recommendation letter from a STEMteacher, transcripts, and stated interest in exploring transportation engineering careers in anapplication essay. Of the 128 participants accepted to the NSTI program, 123 attended. As a partof the application process, the program collected demographics (see Tables 1, 2, and 3) andrelated measures such as self-reported enrollment in free and reduced-price lunch program andfirst-generation status based on parent/guardian education level.Table 1. Participant demographics by Sex and Race/Ethnicity Number Percent Total Number of Participants 123 Sex Female
engineering education practices to create more inclusive engineering professionals with thebroader impact of increased diversity in the field. This Work-in-Progress paper will detail thebackground and current progress of a 2-year National Science Foundation Professional Formationof Engineers: Research Initiation in Engineering Formation (NSF PFE:RIEF) project including theproject framing, team formation, research training, and questionnaire development.BackgroundThe engineering field has not always been welcoming of diversity despite attempts and calls byorganizations to change this in recent years [1-5]. Women and non-white people have showninterest and capacity for success in engineering but often become discouraged due to unnecessarybarriers in
Summer 2021 program in an online or hybrid environment, we will summarizelessons learned from the 2020 experience.Cohort 1 Student OutcomesEighteen rising sophomores participated in the first cohort of the Engineering Fast-ForwardProgram in 2017. All eighteen students have been retained in a STEM degree program (100%STEM retention). Fifteen of the eighteen graduated in Spring 2017, fourteen with undergraduateengineering degrees and one with a mathematics degree (83% 4-yr graduation). The threeremaining Cohort 1 students are on-track to complete their degrees during the next year, two inengineering and one in biology. Both engineering majors have intentionally chosen a five-yeardegree plan to enrich their education: one is in the process of
-person to Online Remote transition of an Engineering Statics courseContinuing education amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has been one of the most dauntingexperiences for most students. As the virus continued to spread across the country, various school districtsand localities faced mounting pressures to close school facilities. College students were asked to leavecampus and finish the semester remotely, placing them in an unfamiliar learning situation. When severalcampuses reopened in the fall 2020, outbreaks raced through dorms and infected thousands of studentsand employees. More than 120,000 cases have been linked to American colleges and universities sinceJanuary 1, 2021, and more than 530,000 cases have been reported since the
, there was a learning curve when itcame to using these online tools, as well as technical difficulties such as connectivity issues andprinting and scanning [5].The concept of “change readiness” [1] was especially important during the emergency transition,as many faculty members were unfamiliar with online teaching. Change readiness is definedas someone’s “beliefs regarding the appropriateness of, support for, and value of a change” [1].If unprepared for a sudden change, students and faculty could face negative feelings towardsmotivation and focus, which some researchers observed to occur at their institutions during theemergency transition period [4]. Some researchers noticed that motivation was directly linked tostructure, which many students
the following goals for this 3-yearcycle: (1) Excite, empower, and educate 30 undergraduate participants in traditional/advancedmetrology and NDI, (2) for the undergraduate participants to experience an immersive research-training through a related transformative project, (3) to mold the undergraduate participants asboth independent/collaborative researchers capable of effective communication, (4) for theundergraduate participants to learn to ask the right questions, formulate plans, pragmaticallyinterpret data, and (5) inspire and enable the undergraduate participants to pursue advanced studyand related STEM careers. This site was a direct response to a recurring concern raised byindustry partners and technical workforce recruiters about the
the computer science department. American c Society for Engineering Education, 2021 Summer Coding Camp: Curriculum, Experiences, and Evaluation Paea LePendu* 1 , Cecilia Cheung2 , Mariam Salloum1 , Pamela Sheffler2 , and Kelly Downey1 1 Department of Computer Science & Engineering, UC Riverside 2 Department of Psychology, UC RiversideAbstractMany education-related organizations in the U.S., from the National Science Foundation down tolocal districts, have been pushing to introduce computer science concepts
learning and motivation.However, in our goal to create inclusive classrooms, we realized that students’ experiences inteams were a space with enormous potential for harm [e.g., 1]. Studies of teamwork find gendereffects on teamwork satisfaction [2], talk time and conversational roles in teams [3, 4],perceptions of voice safety [5,6] and task allocation [7-10]. We are aware of fewer studiesinvestigating how race/ethnicity affects student team experiences in undergraduate engineering,but Cross and Paretti [11] find African American men report feeling hypervisible on their teams,needing to disprove negative stereotypes, and feeling less likely to develop close friendships withteammates. Cohen and Garcia [12] note that African American students are at
development opportunities for faculty and staff at their institutions. Additionalinformation on metacognition and specific interventions can be found here: https://skillful-learning.org/ .Metacognition, knowing about and regulating our thinking processes, is a key skill for learningmore effectively and efficiently, in academia, as a professional, and throughout life [1]. It can bedeveloped with focused instruction, practice, and feedback [2]. Few engineering educators havetraining or expertise in pedagogy [3], let alone facilitating students’ metacognitive growth, i.e.,the development of their learning skills. However, understanding learning processes and helpingothers become more skillful learners require development of new knowledge and abilities
developchallenges that are meaningful and relevant for middle school students in ways that promotedesign, engineering, and computational thinking. The shift to remote learning has been especiallychallenging for activities that require students to physically engage with the materials.This paper describes 1) the research context including certain modifications made due to theCOVID-19 pandemic, 2) the implementation experience of five middle school teachers whoenacted a curricular unit using programmable sensor technologies (called the sensor immersionunit) in the Fall of 2020, when their schools were engaged in synchronous remote instruction dueto the COVID-19 pandemic, 3) the adaptations researchers and teachers made to the instructionalunit to address
learning. Learning is a socialprocess where students interact with each other for the exchange of knowledge and for building acommunity of inquiry [1-3]. Social learning is also an important part of the college experiencefor many students where informal learning happens among students in their courses and studentorganizations. Since March 2020, the students have been experiencing a loss of interaction withtheir instructors and with other students which has impacted their ability to learn in onlinecourses [4-6]. Previously, the lack of social interaction has been reported as a weakness for manyonline courses which prevents students from learning effectively in an online environment [7-8].Further, both the student-instructor and the student-student
structure between the two departments yieldsinteresting observations and areas for potential leveraging of advancements within the twodisciplines.Introduction “Education is the most powerful path to sustainability. Economic and technological solutions, political regulations or financial incentives are not enough. We need a fundamental change in the way we think and act.” Irina Bokova, Director - General of UNESCO [1]Sustainability awareness and action are of growing importance for the care and protection ofpeople, societies and cultures; profit, economic feasibility and responsibility; and for theenvironment and life preservation. Engineers have profound impacts on sustainability and itsdevelopment or lack thereof. And thus, it is
sustainableworld. When one looks at the ethics of responsibility [1] - [2], one must consider both theintentions of an act as well as its consequences. One common practice in which some companiesare failing to be ethically responsible for the impact they are having concerns unsustainablepackaging [3] - [7].According to the EPA, packaging creates “77.9 tons of municipal solid waste per year,” almost30% of the total amount of waste [8]. Packaging makes up 65% of all household trash [9],contributing to landfills. Landfills are reaching capacity and releasing toxic gases into theenvironment. Landfills, hazardous waste sites, other industrial facilities are most often located incommunities of color. In the U.S., people of color are close to twice as likely as
, University Park 31. Table 1 shows the demographiccharacteristics of the Cohort 5 participants. Seventy-three percent are male. Forty-seven percentare racially underrepresented. Thirty-seven percent of the bridge students are first-generationcollege students.Table 1. Background Characteristics for Cohort 5 Bridge Students Bridge Students Variables N % Gender Male 61 73 Female 23 27 Ethnicity African American 19 23 Asian 11 13
describes the development of class project modules inthe Industrial, Manufacturing, and Systems Engineering (IMSE) department at The University ofTexas at El Paso. The primary focus of these modules is to introduce the student to the concept ofgreen design and LCA in the evaluation of the environmental impact of the manufacturing process.This enables a high interdisciplinary platform for research and class modules suitable to be usedin the academic environment for hands-on student training. The modules are developed bythoroughly analyzing the skillsets required by the industrial needs. The module includes: 1)Introduction and theory of sustainable design; 2) Product design and development using CADsoftware; 3) sustainability analysis of the 3-D soft
laboratories in higher educationRecent innovations in online education and the need for lab exercises as part of competencedevelopment in STEM education have led to the development of online laboratory solutions -termed online labs. Those tools include remote–physically real existing equipment used overdistance, augmented reality (real existing labs with VR add-ons), and virtual labs–a software-based fully virtual lab, often through simulation [1-7]. Online laboratories have gainedprominence because they have the potential to overcome some drawbacks of classical, hands-on labs such as equipment, time, capacity, or infrastructure constraints [7, 8]. Furthermore, ifused in addition to and not as a substitute for hands-on labs, online laboratory