ability to work [1]. To understand neurodiversity, a basic comprehension of the term neurotypical is essential. A neurotypical individual is defined as a medically healthy person who exhibits a typical pattern of neurodevelopment along an expected timeline compared to their peers [2]. This study focuses on the training methods available to faculty, staff, and administrators to increase their support for neurodivergent learners in higher education. The objective of this study was to establish if Clemson University provides its instructors with proper training to raise awareness of neurodivergence and how it can be implemented in the classroom. It also looked at how modern technological advances may affect the educational process. These themes are
Progress:Bridging the Gap in Competency Training for Students in AI and GenAI Technologies in the Biotech Industry: Exploring Biodigital Twins Reem Khojah, Alyssa Catherine Taylor, Isgard S. Hueck Bioengineering, University of California San DiegoAbstractBioengineers have long served as a vital bridge between healthcare and technology, adaptinginnovations from interdisciplinary fields to advance patient care and medical solutions. One suchemerging innovation is generative AI (GenAI) (e.g., large language models (LLMs)) [1] , atechnology with significant potential to impact the biotechnology industry [2]. As artificialintelligence (AI) continues to reshape research and development in this field, it is
, Hispanic American, Native American Indian, Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiian, andNative Pacific Islander faculty. These inequities limit opportunities for individuals and hinder theinnovation and inclusivity of STEM fields.Such barriers are deeply rooted in structural inequities, including “epistemic exclusion”—themarginalization of scholarship and scholars that challenge disciplinary norms or focus on equityand inclusion [1], [2]. Hiring and evaluation processes often emphasize narrow productivitymetrics, such as publication counts, grant funding, and citation indices, which privilege dominantgroups and discourage bold, innovative research [3], [4]. These practices reinforce institutionalbiases and reduce opportunities for all scholars to thrive in
a model for ongoingtechnical support.IntroductionThe broader goals of this project have been to enhance program evaluation within and acrossNSF-funded ERCs (and other large, STEM-focused research centers) by: 1) expandingdissemination and providing validity testing of a collaborative evaluation survey, 2) developing acomplementary set of qualitative tools (e.g., interview, focus group, observation protocols, etc.),3) facilitating an evaluator’s toolbox to guide and support center evaluation leads, and 4)providing updated information to available resources (e.g., drafting new content for the NSFEngineering Research Centers’ Best Practice Manual). Over the duration of the grant, this workhas been completed while aligning with each of the four
, management, andpreservation. Proficiency in one or more of these areas in conjunction with domain knowledgewithin a core STEM discipline is rapidly becoming a key need for education and workforcedevelopment. To meet the need for STEM professionals with proficiency in data science, theNSF-sponsored DIFUSE project at Dartmouth has focused on integrating data science intoSTEM disciplines to enhance undergraduate student learning and preparation for the STEMworkforce. The interdisciplinary approach, described in [1], develops data science modules foruse in the classroom in introductory STEM and social science courses ranging from psychologyand environmental studies to astronomy and engineering; to date, we have developed anddisseminated over 20 such
financial, academic, and social barriers faced by low-income,academically talented students, the program emphasizes pathways into and through STEMdisciplines such as computer science, mathematics, and physics. The initiative is dedicated tosupporting underrepresented groups, including women, minorities, and first-generation collegestudents, with the goal of increasing retention, graduation rates, and career readiness. Thispartnership creates a comprehensive pipeline from MCC and TCC to CCSU, blending academicpreparation, social integration, and professional development into a holistic support system forstudent success [1, 2].Program Goals and ObjectivesThe CSMP program was developed to address critical challenges in STEM education,particularly for
institution’s College of Engineering.Background and MotivationMiddle and upper-level engineering courses are vital for students to master specializedknowledge and skills necessary for their chosen fields. Despite their importance, research onteaching methods in these courses has been limited [1]. These courses are recognized asparticularly challenging and require innovative teaching strategies to enhance student learning[2]. This project, funded by NSF (DUE2215989) addresses these gaps by exploring effectiveinstructional practices and fostering a sustainable community of practice to disseminate thesemethods across engineering departments.The project’s motivation stems from the need to align instructional practices with student-centered teaching which
teachers must find ways to expose studentsto engineering in ways that are accessible and age-appropriate. In order to attract more studentsto engineering as a field of study and career path, it is important to offer outreach programs thatare both educational and inspirational. [1], [2], [5] The activity discussed in this paper introducesstudents to fundamental engineering concepts through the design, implementation andoptimization of a smart nightlight. The activity is designed to be customizable for students ingrades 4 through 12 and further tailored to the learning skills and available time of theparticipating groups. Furthermore, the activity emphasizes hands-on learning while integratingengineering principles such as the engineering design
interactions among group members. IntroductionEngineering education strives to transform the field of engineering by integrating research andpractice. These efforts often involve groups of individuals from fields such as engineering,engineering education, sociology, and psychology and from different roles within a university(e.g., faculty, administration, student support staff) [1], [2], [3]. Each of these group membersbring their own approaches to the generation, expression, and application of knowledge. Thesedifferences in thinking are key to the success of engineering education; however, they can createtensions that prevent many groups from achieving their core goals. These tensions are oftenassociated
data.IntroductionDespite more than a half-century of research into the factors that support retention andgraduation rates in engineering, degree achievement remains stagnant at approximately 60%[1]-[3]. The causes of student attrition are multifaceted and institutions are grappling withstrategies to improve retention and completion rates, including those of students with highfinancial need, first-generation students, and community-college transfer students [4]. Quality ofinstruction is a known variable demonstrated to impact student outcomes [5]. One toolengineering educators have successfully adopted to improve learning outcomes and retention isthe integration of active learning pedagogies, including hands-on engineering experiences[6]-[12].Our Integrated
people walking, at least oneperson can teach me something new.” The authors see this philosophy as underpinning the LeadBy Design and First Year Design Experiences program, our School of Engineering’s solution tocreate more accessible and experiential Design-Build curricula for first-year students [1, 2, 3].Here, a group of knowledgeable and skilled undergraduate students can form a team to designand create new First Year Design course content on a subject matter that they are passionateabout, and feel is underrepresented in the engineering curriculum. Not only do they take controlof early engineering course content, but they also teach it as a formal, for-credit (graded) class.The subject of each First Year Design class varies with the
Learners in STEM EducationIntroductionDifferences among learning styles for neurodivergent learners can greatly impact theirexperiences within higher education. Neurodivergence is described as a neurological variation inwhich the brain processes information, leading to individuals having different strengths andweaknesses [1]. While neurodivergence is generally well understood in professional settings,universities must ensure proper access to necessary accommodations and information in order tosupport students in STEM fields. Standard STEM educational practices emphasize innovationand problem-solving, but systemic barriers within higher education can hinder success. Thisstudy, which is part of a course-based
coordinates the mechanical engineering senior capstone design projects and teaches senior design lectures and studios. Her research interests include engineering education and engineering design methodology. ©American Society for Engineering Education, 2025 1 Writing Assessment Training for Capstone Design InstructorsIntroduction Technical writing is vital for professional engineers, but engineering students oftenstruggle to master written communication [1]. To help students develop the necessary writingskills for their careers, many engineering programs implement writing intensive courses
reported on the influence of Design Talks on participating teachers.This paper reports on a qualitative study focused on teacher reflections and perceptions of theirexperiences facilitating Design Talks in their classrooms. Specifically, we ask: How doelementary teachers perceive the benefits of intentionally facilitated whole-class conversationsduring engineering design units? Study participants were the six classroom teachers in ourDesign Talks community of practice.Background and Conceptual FrameworkWhole-class talk in science and math. By using “Design Talks” as a catchphrase, we havehoped (1) to emphasize the importance of discussion in the learning of engineering, and (2) toexplicitly align with seminal work on “science talks” (Gallas, 1995
through Design (RtD) canconnect research and engineering educational practice. The following scenarios offer grounding: ● Scenario 1: Two educators, inspired by recent work on ungrading, decide to pursue ungrading for courses they teach. Through conversation, they realize their collective experiences could inform others who might be interested in themselves pursuing ungrading. As a result, the educators come together to analyze their approaches in four different courses (two each), identify insights about how to adapt ungrading to different contexts, and organize the insights into a framework that could guide other interested educators. ● Scenario 2: An educator becomes interested in the potential for
, which focuses on the instructor’s delivery andconsiders the students merely the receiving end of the knowledge, active learning emphasize thestudents’ role in the process, and encourages them to think and learn actively, instead of justlistening. Bonwell and Eison in 1991 [1] defined that instructional activities involving students indoing things and thinking about what they are doing as techniques to promote active learning. Abroad range of activities can be considered active learning techniques under this definition [2].Some are simple and easy implement. For instance, the students may engage in ”think-pair-share”[3], where the instructor raises a question, ask the students to think about it, and then they arepaired with peers to discuss
of covariance (ANCOVA) wasperformed to investigate the difference in students’ cognitive empathy between the two groups,with pre-test empathy scores as the covariate.Results Experimental group exhibited an average post-test score of 5.09 with a standard deviationof 1.23 with a noticeable improvement from their pre-test mean score of 4.60 with a standarddeviation of 1.18. The control group showed a lower post-test average of 4.26 with a standarddeviation of 1.38, while decreased from their pre-test average of 4.37 with a standard deviation of1.14. The ANCOVA result underscored the evidence of improved student empathy as the groupdifferences in post-test cognitive empathy scores were statistically significant, with an F(1, 40) =39.80, p
verticalalignment process is detailed in Appendix A. Each district’s VA plan addressed the following key questionsdeveloped by the workforce development organization: 1. What robotics, coding/programming, electronics, and engineering tools will students use, and what skills will they learn at this grade level? 2. How will you expose students to careers in the semiconductor industry? 3. What employability skills are important at this grade level, and how will they be developed? 4. What additional resources or connections will you incorporate?The VA plans outlined how semiconductor-related activities and career connections would be implementedfor an entire school year, covering grades K-12. Two example summaries of district VA plans are providedin
supportinginitiatives to advance student learning in undergraduate engineering education [1]. As thecultures of academic engineering departments adapt to promote pedagogical change to bettermeet the future needs of their diversifying student populations and develop them intoexperimental and innovative engineers, a primary goal for these departments must be providingfaculty members with the necessary tools and resources to innovate in their teaching andeffectively support their students. Faculty development, an established approach utilized inachieving change in teaching practices, is aimed at providing faculty with broad pedagogicalskills or motivation and resources for self-improvement [2]. Common goals of change strategiesproposed by faculty development
students experiencing a slight decline indisciplinary identity and URM students reporting reduced disciplinary sense of belonging overtime. These trends, though not statistically significant, highlight the need for targeted efforts tobetter support these groups.Keywords: Calculus, mastery grading, long-term effects, student success, student perceptionIntroductionAlternative grading practices have been increasingly adopted in STEM education due to its focuson student growth and well-being. Mastery grading, as one of the alternative grading approaches,breaks course material into specific learning targets, and students are allowed multiple attemptsto demonstrate mastery in each learning target [1]. The goal is to create a supportive andinclusive
traditional, discipline-specific structures within its academic programs and thus doesnot have a historical tradition of interdisciplinary efforts. This mirrors broader challenges andorganizational barriers faced by universities attempting to bridge disciplinary divides.In this paper, we begin by describing the historical context for the institutional structure in highereducation and incentives influencing a shift toward interdisciplinary. Undergraduates are drawnto problem solving in interdisciplinary spaces [1] and universities need to adapt their structuresto be able to train students to address complex issues and topics. We also outline features ofstrong interdisciplinary programs, recommendations for developing programs, and the impact onstudent
series on the topic.By weaving these practical, community-focused projects into engineering education, we canbetter prepare students to apply their skills meaningfully, contribute to public health awareness,and foster a commitment to community service. This study’s insights into effective infographicdesign thus serve as a springboard for innovative educational practices that bridge the gapbetween engineering expertise and societal needs, reinforcing the importance ofmultidisciplinary approaches in addressing global health challenges. Table 1: CDC Infographics AnalysisCategory Name Type Elements EffectivenessAntibiotic Antibiotic Static Uses colorful Very
newapplications and developing new lecture topics. In addition, manual grading does not provideinstant feedback to the students on their performance and understanding. More and morehomework has moved online in recent years, and many textbooks come with online homeworkassignments with automated grading.Some research has shown that automated grading is helpful for students, while others show amore neutral effect. Arura et al. show that online homework significantly improved students’grades in a statics course [1]. Multiple attempts at homework problems have been shown toprove the scores in an economics class [2]. Magalhães et al. [3] provide a literature review of thebenefits and pitfalls of online homework. They noted that others found that the ability
construction.This statistic shows that having a family member in the construction industry is a stronginfluence when it comes to students deciding what academic route to follow [1]. Another highlyinfluential factor in the students' reasoning for enrolling in construction science is having work-related experiences with construction, specifically, working in construction outside of aninternship capacity [2].That is an effective approach to learn about the construction industry and the kind of people thatwork in it every day. Unfortunately, not every student can work in or around construction beforethey need to decide if they will go into construction science. The portion of students outside ofthat category select construction science for varied reasons
without any books? One academic library branchrecently had to learn the answer to that question for itself.LITERATURE REVIEWThe idea of a “bookless library” has been around for at least fifteen years, with engineeringlibraries making up the bulk of this trend. Stanford University made what is considered the firstattempt with their renovation of their engineering library in 2009. However, since some bookswere still kept on site, the library is not considered fully bookless.[1]In 2010, the University of Texas at San Antonio’s Applied Engineering and Technology Librarybecame the first to officially eliminate all physical books within its space.[2] Located in theinstitution’s Applied Engineering and Technology Building, the library occupies what
problem-solving. However, their potentialcontributions to AI and related Computer Science fields remain largely untapped due topersistent systemic barriers. Employment statistics underscore this disparity: while the generalU.S. unemployment rate approximates 3.5%, the rate among autistic adults exceeds 85% despitetheir aligned technical aptitudes [1].Current AI education practices primarily emphasize technical skill acquisition at the expense ofdeveloping crucial interpersonal and collaborative competencies. This myopic focus createsparticular challenges for neurodivergent learners, who may require targeted support indeveloping the social and communicative skills essential for success in collaborative workenvironments. Educators often lack
learning objectives in human-centered design (HCD) across project-based courses withina Mechanical Engineering program. Engineering design education plays a vital role in preparingstudents for the increasingly complex, interdisciplinary, and user-centered challenges of modernengineering practice [1]. To address these evolving demands, this initiative focuses on unitingfaculty around shared pedagogical goals and enhancing the student learning experience through acohesive “design spine” [2,3]. At the heart of this effort is the recognition that engineeringproblems rarely have singular solutions, requiring a balance between technical rigor and human-centered approaches. This paper details the development and implementation of shared
through the lens ofthe EENTITLE (Ecuadorian ENgineering educaTors capacITy deveLopment andrEcognition) project, an EU-funded initiative aimed at fostering inclusivity withinEcuadorian engineering schools. By addressing systemic gaps in the recognition anddevelopment of educators, the project highlights the importance of empowering facultyto lead in ways that reflect the diversity of the world they serve. These efforts contributeto a more equitable academic ecosystem, ensuring that engineering education continuesto innovate and adapt to the challenges of our time.By prioritizing inclusivity, we not only elevate the quality of engineering education butalso strengthen its capacity to unite individuals and communities in solving globalchallenges.1
mail,providing details on the sender, type of correspondence, and content to enhance security. Unlikeexisting systems, SMA-01 overcomes limitations such as limited use, low reliability in low lightconditions, and lack of recipient identification. The hardware support involves an infraredmodule, RFID reader, and GSM module powered by a 9V battery. Successful experiments onvarious mailboxes validate its effectiveness. The software support includes libraries for serialcommunication, SPI, and RFID. SMA-01 represents a significant leap in secure and efficientmail handling. Future improvements include compact design and support for envelopes. [1] In the era of widespread internet use, especially post-COVID-19, Thailand has witnesseda surge
has shown that effective curriculum alignment can lead to improved studentachievement, as it ensures that the instructional methods and assessments are coherent with theintended learning outcomes [1]. This principle is particularly relevant in STEM education, wherethe integration of various disciplines is essential for fostering innovation and entrepreneurship.The alignment between the formal curriculum, which outlines the intended learning outcomes,and the hidden curriculum, which encompasses the implicit values and norms conveyed throughteaching practices, is crucial for creating an educational environment conducive to developingentrepreneurial competencies [1].Teachers' perceptions regarding their role in fostering innovation and