success by firstworking in such positions in professional and discipline societies as well as understanding theimpacts for early career faculty.Michigan State University was funded through the NSF ADVANCE program for an InstitutionalTransformation Grant. One of the components of this ADVANCE grant focused on women’sleadership. This leadership project had an overarching goal of understanding what factorsmotivated women faculty to become leaders. Within this overarching goal, the women’sleadership team also wanted to better understand the roles their disciplinary/professionalsocieties played in leadership development and advancement.As a beginning step to meet these goals, the women’s leadership team needed to first understandhow women participated
emerged calledEngaging Youth through Engineering or EYE. The goal of EYE was and still is to engage areayouth in grades 4-9 in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) academics andcareers by providing students with a coordinated continuum of curricular and extra-curricularexperiences that use real life engineering design challenges as a “hook.” Once “hooked,” andwith careful guidance and support of “adult influencers” (teachers, counselors, parents, andbusiness volunteers), the theory of action is that youth will become motivated and choose to takethe high school mathematics and science coursework needed in preparation for STEM post-secondary study and careers, but not required by the district or the state.The EYE curriculum at
experiences expose students toaerospace research projects and help them build a supportive community of peers and mentors,which is critical for their persistence in graduate programs and/or careers. The impact of suchprograms extends beyond skill development, as they also play a crucial role in fostering self-efficacyand sense of belonging in the aerospace engineering community. This is particularly important giventhat URM students often face additional challenges, including imposter syndrome and a lack ofrepresentation among faculty and industry professionals [1]. Furthermore, the intersectionality ofmarginalization based on ethnicity and social class compounds the challenges faced by URMstudents, making it essential to consider multiple dimensions
student learning. Using a academic backgrounds and career trajectories.mixed-methods approach, we collected data from 35 students (25from DB and 10 from EEM) through pre- and post-study surveys, The significance of integrating prompt engineering intoskills assessments, and qualitative feedback. Key findings reveal curricula spans disciplines. In computational fields, it enhancesthat students in both courses reported an improved understanding technical workflows such as code generation or databaseof AI and proficiency in prompt engineering. Students in the DB optimization, while in engineering or applied sciences, itcourse, which has a
or career preparation and placement. The studentcommunity is cultivated through academic monitoring, mentoring, professional developmentand community building activities. Two kinds of mentoring relationships are encouraged; peermentoring between the graduate and undergraduate students and hierarchical mentoring betweenfaculty and graduate students to support community building, encourage academic excellenceand increase career preparation. The program involves two cohorts of approximately 11undergraduates each and five cohorts of about four graduate students each. In addition tofinancial need and citizenship criteria, other selection factors include academic performance,motivation, and calculus I enrollment (undergraduates).This paper will
Tennessee-Knoxville. Dr. Affare served as a Project Engineer and Project Manager at Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) where she managed research and development projects for TVA’s Transmission Technologies and eventually became a Senior Compliance Analyst until retirement in July 2014. After retirement, Dr. Affare was a project management consultant in transportation and logistics for a few years until she began her second career in higher education. As an engineering professor, her research focuses on increasing the number of women in STEM with an emphasis in minorities in Engineering. Over the past 3 years at UTC, Dr. Affare has established the reputation as the go to person with respect to multidisciplinary and
decade [1], [2]. Recent findingsindicate the industry is over 20% below necessary staffing levels in crucial production roles dueto a shortage of qualified STEM talent [1]-[3], with the Department of Defense estimating theneed for 15,000 STEM hires annually for the next decade to meet procurement goals [3], [4]. Toaddress this, the Navy has invested in innovative solutions to attract students to naval STEMcareers early in their education. This engagement in practice case study outlines the efforts of theUConn-URI Navy STEM Coalition to develop a comprehensive K-12 pipeline by integratingnaval technology lessons into STEM pedagogy to showcase career opportunities in the region.This program builds off similar efforts prioritizing teacher
socioeconomic factors [1].Title I students often experience a deficit in resources and exposure to post-secondary educationpreparation; the lack of exposure can leave students unaware of the college process as well asunprepared for future careers and classes [1]. This can lead Title I students to being heavilydisadvantaged regarding college readiness when compared to higher-income schools.Understanding the difference between low and high SES will give us a better perspective on theeffects of low income vs. poor educational structure.Research has found that exposing more Title I students to engineering can boost their confidence[2]. Understanding students’ perceptions on engineering from Title I and non-Title I (low andhigh SES) will show how effective
outreach activity aimed at increasing high school students’interest in engineering disciplines through a practical, real-world application of coffee brewinganalysis and sensor interfacing. The activity, designed for 10th-grade students, introduces basicconcepts in engineering, computing, and data analysis by allowing students to roast green coffeebeans, collecting and plotting temperature data using Phidget sensors during roasting, andanalyze variables in brewed coffee such as pH, turbidity, and extraction yield. By combiningcuriosity-driven inquiry with interactive, hands-on learning experiences and data analytics, thisactivity encourages students to explore potential careers in science, technology, engineering, andmathematics (STEM). We discuss
diverse experiences and backgrounds that may not have led to them being expected tocomplete higher-level math courses at their high schools, though they are perfectly capable ifgiven the opportunity. Additionally, students at our institution declare their major from the onsetwhen many (if not most) do not know what it means to be an engineer or why they want topursue a specific discipline. When coupled with engineering programming that requires ourstudents to be calculus-ready, these students do not experience engineering content until severalsemesters into their academic careers. The situation also creates barriers to building a sense ofbelonging in engineering and at the university, from which students would otherwise benefit(i.e., staying in
according todifferent categories, such as target population and location, findings reveal that most efforts takeplace at university campuses (30 out of 40 initiatives), and participation is not necessarilyrestricted to women students (only 4 out of 40). Concentrating on Latin American universities,this study offers region-specific insights for examining local challenges and creating newopportunities for young women to engage with STEM fields. Furthermore, the study contributesto the existing body of research by illustrating how to classify initiatives aimed at increasingwomen participation in STEM from an empirical perspective.IntroductionThe participation of women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)careers is essential to
University (USU). Her research focuses on the intersections of disability, identity formation, and culture and uses anti-ableist approaches to enhance universal access for students with disabilities in STEM, particularly in engineering. At USU, she serves as the Co-Director of the Institute for Interdisciplinary Transition Services. In 2024, Dr. McCall received a National Science Foundation CAREER grant to identify systemic opportunities for increasing the participation of people with disabilities in engineering. Her award-winning publications have been recognized by leading engineering education research journals at both national and international levels. Dr. McCall has led several workshops promoting the inclusion of
developedcollaboratively between university and industry partners to address gaps in terms of bothevolving skillset requirements for graduates and students’ lack of awareness of the diverse rangeof career opportunities. Highlights of the collaborative program design along with outcomes andlessons learned from the first year of implementation are presented.IntroductionThe demand for engineering graduates has increased in recent years but the pipeline of talent hasnot similarly expanded. Universities face challenges in both attracting students to engineeringand retaining those who do choose engineering majors. Further, women and students of color arestill grossly underrepresented in many engineering disciplines. To further complicate the talentshortage, industry is
important ideas.* Pre PostIncrease in Likelihood to Pursue a Science Career- SETSParticipants were asked to indicate their level of agreement (1=strongly disagree to 5=strongly agree) onadditional items in the Self-Efficacy in Technology and Science (SETS) instrument related to theirintended future careers. On three items, participants showed statistically significant change in theirreported intentions to pursue a science career. Specific questions and amount of growth are shown in thechart below
(Fundamental, Diversity)Abstract Pre-college engineering education still struggles to implement curricula that engage adiverse range of students. Engineering for US All (e4usa) aims to fill this gap through a coursethat demystifies engineering while catering to a broad range of students. This paper examines theinfluence of the e4usa course on students’ engagement with engineering design, and theirunderstanding of engineering as a potential future educational and career pathway. Focus groupsessions were conducted with students from 12 participating schools during the 2020-21 schoolyear to examine how their interests and understanding of engineering were influenced by thecourse. There were four main question categories for the focus groups
classroom, decision process, and future plans. In this particular study,the focus is on a subset of questions dealing with student advising. Survey respondents wereasked a number of questions on advising. These questions included the following:Is it required in your program for you to have an academic adviser? (Yes/No/I don’t know)Do you have an academic adviser? (Yes/No)What do you need from your academic adviser? Frequent meetings Course scheduling Personal supportiveness Ease of arranging a meeting Assistance with academic difficulties Career advice Advice on future academic plans Advice on suitable academic courses Other needsHow well does your adviser meet your needs? (five-point Likert scale
mainly focus on Smart Structures Technology, Smart Connected Health, Structural Control and Health Monitoring and Innovative Engineering Education.Dr. Xiaorong Zhang, San Francisco State University Dr. Xiaorong Zhang is an Associate Professor in Computer Engineering in the School of Engineering at San Francisco State University (SFSU). She is the Director of the Intelligent Computing and Embedded Systems Laboratory (ICE Lab) at SFSU. She has broad research experience in human-machine interfaces, embedded systems, and engineering education. She is a recipient of the NSF CAREER Award to develop the next-generation neural-machine interfaces (NMI) for electromyography (EMG)-controlled neurore- habilitation. She is a
], [16],[17], [18]. Implementing PLTL increases a sense of community among students due to theconsistent interaction with the same student leader and participants [18].Role Models Lockwood and Kunda (1997) define a role model as someone who has achieved whattarget individuals hope to achieve, is at a more advanced career stage and inspires the targetindividuals. Exposure to female STEM role models has been shown to be highly beneficial inincreasing retention, particularly among female minority students [6]. Interacting with femalerole models in STEM fields fosters a sense of belonging [6] and encourages a vision of a futureself in the STEM fields [19], [20]. Furthermore, female minority students who interact withaccomplished women in
from a variety ofuniversities was used to obtain data regarding many aspects of the master's program process. Forthis paper, the questions regarding the decision to attend graduate school were isolated andexamined using standard statistical methods. From these statistical tests, we were able to obtainresults which help us understand how priorities differ between these two student groups and mayaid universities in their recruitment of graduate students from both backgrounds.IntroductionThe decision to pursue a master’s degree is life-altering for an engineer. It changes the trajectoryof one’s career and can open many doors. However, pursuing a master’s degree is not an easyprocess and requires significant commitment. Many factors contribute to
persistence toward graduating with an engineering degree.Student attitudes and beliefs are known to be important. For example, student beliefs aboutengineering career security and salary are predictors for persistence [3]. Student career aspirationhas also been observed as an indicator of persistence [2]. Other studies have highlighted theimportance of guidance and clarification of the role of engineers through advising, as manystudents may have incorrect assumptions about the culture of engineering [4]. One studyidentified six broad factors that drive attrition from engineering: classroom and academicclimate, grades and conceptual understanding, self-efficacy and self-confidence, high schoolpreparation, interest and career goals, and race and gender
Nation’s Urban WaterInfrastructure (ReNUWIt). Participants to date have been 69% female and 39% from historicallyunderrepresented racial or ethnic groups. Outcomes include participant skill-building,development of researcher identity, pursuit of graduate school, and pursuit of careers in STEM.Assessments include pre- and post-surveys (quantitative and qualitative), as well as longitudinaltracking of participants (n=97 over 7 years). Assessment results suggest this multi-campus siteachieves participant-level and program-level impacts commensurate with those attained bysingle-campus REU Sites.IntroductionEngaging undergraduates in authentic science and engineering research experiences is widelyaccepted as a promising practice for promoting
, economic, environmental, and societal issues [8].Students who have completed co-ops or internships readily distinguish between effective andineffective leaders. However, they typically do not recognize why lack of essential professionaltraits and activities cause leadership disasters and employee dissatisfaction. Making thisconnection is imperative if students are to appreciate the need for and development of soft orprofessional skills. In addition, students need to know that effective engineering leadershipapproaches are somewhat fluid in that they depend upon the career stage, personalities involved,and organizational culture within specific situations [9].Leadership Course or Workshop Content and MethodologyThe lack of leadership training and
and testing) and the reliability and maintainability of complex systems. He has been selected as both a NASA and an ONR Faculty Fellow. He regularly teaches courses in Ma- rine Engineering and in Maintained Systems. Most recently Dr. Dean was on the Headquarters Staff the American Society of Naval Engineers. He received his Ph.D. from the Department of Engineering Management and Systems Engineering, and a B.S. in Nuclear Engineering Technology, from the Batten College of Engineering and Technology at Old Dominion University. Additionally, Dr. Dean received an MBA from the College of William and Mary. Prior to is academic career Dr. Dean was Director of Operations and Business Development for Clark-Smith Associates
Borrego, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University MAURA BORREGO is an assistant professor of Engineering Education at Virginia Tech. Dr. Borrego holds an M.S. and Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering from Stanford University. Her current research interests center around interdisciplinary collaboration in engineering and engineering education, including studies of the collaborative relationships between engineers and education researchers. Investigations of interdisciplinary graduate programs nationwide are funded through her NSF CAREER award.Jenny Lo, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University JENNY LO is an advanced instructor in the Department of Engineering Education
underwaterROV by sending signals to three thrusters (again, student-built.) The controller is tethered orconnected by hard wire to the thrusters.In addition to the building phase, the curriculum includes discussion of potential careers intechnical and engineering fields, as well as related fields of study. The program is used toinform and educate students through a hands-on activity, with the objective of generating interestand enthusiasm for continued science, technology and engineering studies. The Sea PerchChallenge has been a successful event for the past two years, and this paper will discuss thespecifics of this event, as well as the plans for developing the Sea Perch Program into a nationaldesign competition over the next five
decrease in percentage of women entering the engineering field, a trend thatwill continue for the near term according to ASEE. Studies show that a large number of girlsoutperform boys in science and mathematics in elementary schools. However, by the time thesegirls are beginning to consider their college and life career, they are less and less interested inmath and science.Low female student enrollment in the College of Engineering and Architecture, North DakotaState University is of particular concern as our numbers lag behind national numberssignificantly. In order to increase our female student enrolment numbers we have been workingoffering an engineering and technology after school program aimed at fourth-through seventh-graders. This is an
expectations. By examining theirexpectations, and subsequent perceptions, it is possible to prepare them for a rewarding andsuccessful college classroom experience. This paper examines the use of a service quality modelto predict and enhance student efficacy and performance. Results indicate that the differencebetween students' expectations and perceptions (gap score) was significantly related to theiracademic, team, and career efficacy. Additionally, the change in efficacy over the semester wassignificantly related to student satisfaction. This paper examines the causes for these results indetail, and discusses the implications of the results on course design and first year students.IntroductionThe importance of student motivation, mechanisms for
Education, 2006 Transitioning from Industry to Education: The Third YearAbstractChanging careers can be a very demanding and stressful experience. Today, few people stay withthe same organization or occupation their entire professional career. In fact, the transition fromone career to another may actually occur multiple times. However, the interest here is on oneparticular transition. After 30 years as an engineer and engineering manager many skills wereacquired and developed. But were any of them transferable to another career, especially to one ineducation as an engineering professor.The transition from industry to education would take time and effort while presenting many trialsand tribulations. The first year was full of new
unitthey taught. Through the logs, teachers reported on several different topics, including theirreaction to the unit, their students’ reactions to the unit, aspects of the unit they liked, and aspectsthey did not like.The study of engineering, mathematics, science, and technology-based content and theapplication of conceptual modeling, data-driven visualizations, physical modeling, andpresentations promote visual literacy. Visual and technical literacy maintain a significant role insuccessful knowledge and skill development in engineering and technology career paths. Dataand information collected from this project is beneficial to pre-engineering education and K-12outreach through the expansion of research and extension of knowledge. Research
Marine Engineering and in Maintained Systems. Most recently Dr. Dean was on the Headquarters Staff the American Society of Naval Engineers. He received his Ph.D. from the Department of Engineering Management and Systems Engineering, and a B.S. in Nuclear Engineering Technology, from the Batten College of Engineering and Technology at Old Dominion University. Additionally, Dr. Dean received an MBA from the College of William and Mary. Prior to is academic career Dr. Dean was Director of Operations and Business De- velopment for Clark-Smith Associates, P.C., and served as an Electrician in the US Navy aboard the USS South Carolina and the USS Enterprise. c American Society for Engineering