Collection

2018 Gulf Southwest Section Conference

Authors

Christine Julien

course has three broad limited relevance [20] and a culturally inculcated “fear” thatgoals: (1) to make software engineering fun and applicable, programming is inherently (too) difficult to learn [18].with the aim of recruiting traditionally underrepresented However, research has also shown that exposure to hands-ongroups into computing; (2) to make young students begin to computer science in the K-12 years can positively impactapproach problems with a design mindset; and (3) to

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2018 Gulf Southwest Section Conference

Authors

Tony McClary; Jacqueline A. Zeiber; Patricia Sullivan; Steven Stochaj

research tends to focus on whetherknowledge and retention of technological concepts [1]. participating in STEM programs increases self-efficacy [3].Additionally, participating in STEM programs leads to However, there are several factors that can influence theincreased self-confidence, satisfaction, and interest in effectiveness of these programs. For example, motivationengineering [2]. Current research focuses on whether influences the degree to which participants are engagedparticipating in STEM programs increases self-efficacy [3]. with activities as does their background knowledge [4].However, several factors can influence the effectiveness of Additionally, program effectiveness is impacted by

Collection

2018 Gulf Southwest Section Conference

Authors

Jafar F. Al-Sharab; Curtis Desselles; Robert Dalling; Mauricio Escobar; Ariell Shield; Hoa Nguyen; McKenzie Cutrer; Will Heitman

-Southwest Section Annual Conference The University of Texas at Austin April 4-6, 20184. Dissemination of research results andfindings: References 1. Bell, Randy L., Blair, Lesley M., Crawford,We always emphasize to our students that gaining research Barbara A., and Lederman, Norman G., “Just Do It? Impact of a Science Apprenticeship Programexperience at the high school can improve their chances of on

Collection

2018 Gulf Southwest Section Conference

Authors

Timothy Urban; Margaret Baguio

engage students and teachers by incorporating research anddegrees. data analysis. Statistics on the state of education in the United States • Inspiring a more diverse student population to pursue careersindicate a decreasing trend in domestic students choosing to in STEM-related fields following involvement in NASAmajor in and successfully completing degrees in Science, programs.Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) The project directly addresses NASA’s education mission goaldisciplines [1]. Leaders in STEM fields have recently called to “Attract and retain students in science, technology, engineeringfor

Collection

2018 Gulf Southwest Section Conference

Authors

Pranav A. Bhounsule; Ahmad Taha; Sebastian Nugruho

Control Systems and Robotics Outreach to Middle-school Girls: Approach, Results, and Suggestions Pranav A. Bhounsule*, Ahmad Taha^, and Sebastian Nugruho^ *Department of Mechanical Engineering, ^Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering The University of Texas at San Antonio, 1 UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA E-mails: pranav.bhounsule@utsa.edu, ahmad.taha@utsa.edu, sebastian.nugroho@my.utsa.eduAbstract of women [1]. There is a clear need to reduce this gender gap We conducted a three-day outreach camp focused on in STEM by arousing the interests of young girls to take oncontrol systems and robotics for

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2018 Gulf Southwest Section Conference

Authors

Brian P. Bernard; Rui Cao; Maureen Russo RodrÕguez

studentssatisfaction levels for distance education courses targeting beyond their normal scheduling challenges. The morerural business students8. These discrepancies in student difficult problem arises from each campus currently havingconfidence in their learning and program satisfaction are less only 1 or 2 classrooms equipped with the technologyof an issue when the online program is offered to adult required to conduct consortium classes. The significantprofessional learners9, but could be detrimental for takeaway is that where a normal classroom may be able toresidential first generation undergraduate students or those support about 8-10 classes throughout the day, in the worstfrom low income families for whom

Collection

2018 Gulf Southwest Section Conference

Authors

Noe Vargas Hernandez; Arturo Fuentes; Stephen Crown

Blacks, but are the fastest-growing minority limits the success of the student. Hence, promoting thesegroup [1]. Thus, it is not surprising that one of the largest non-technical skills becomes crucial to enhance the successincreases in college enrollment is expected to come from of underrepresented students.the Hispanic population. The University of Texas RioGrande Valley (UTRGV) is a new Hispanic ServingInstitution (HSI) created in 2015 through the merging of 3. Self-Innovation Skillstwo legacy institutions, UT Brownsville and UT Pan- 3.1 The Case for InnovationAmerican, and the creation of the

Collection

2018 Gulf Southwest Section Conference

Authors

P.L.Stephan Thamban; Dani Fadda P.E.

students. Lecture-based courses can be function of time, after an initial “warm-up” it will reach asignificantly less engaging than inductive or project-based maximum around 10 minutes and from then it will startcourses, however, lectures continue to be necessary. For dropping steadily; that trend can be plotted as shown inthis reason, there is a deliberate effort to explore all Fig. 1 [4].avenues that aid retaining the student’s interest-level andcontent-assimilation while participating in long (50 to 75minute) lecture sessions. In this paper, we specifically discuss simplemethods (systemic pauses and group in-class assignments)that can be used in any lecture-based course. Thesemethods were

Collection

2018 Gulf Southwest Section Conference

Authors

Joseph A. Donndelinger

in Baylor’s Hankamer School of Business. However,1. Introduction engineering students may also satisfy this requirement byInstilling an Entrepreneurial Mindset in undergraduate taking Global Business Economics and Communicationstudents is a foundational goal of the Engineering programs (GBEC), an elective course offered by Baylor’s School ofat Baylor University, as reflected in the mission statement of Engineering and Computer Science. This course is intendedthe Mechanical Engineering Department: for engineering students with deeper interests in exploring value creation opportunities from

Collection

2018 Gulf Southwest Section Conference

Authors

Tariq Khraishi; Kristine Denman

How Does An Online Version of A Class Compares To An In-Class Version? Tariq Khraishi1, Kristine Denman2 University of New Mexico, Mechanical Engineering Department1, New Mexico Statistical Analysis Center2 1 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA E-mail: khraishi@unm.edu Abstract and non-completion rates were higher in the online classes than the face-to-face classes. Here, comparative data from the same course offeredusing two different methods: In

Collection

2018 Gulf Southwest Section Conference

Authors

Matthew Alexander

Challenges to Developing Professional Skills in Undergraduate Chemical Engineers at a Minority Serving University Matthew Alexander Department of Chemical and Natural Gas Engineering, Texas A&M University-Kingsville 700 University Blvd, MSC 193, Kingsville, Texas 78363, USA E-mail: matthew.alexander@tamuk.edu Abstract 1. Introduction Communication skills, recognition of the need for life- Undergraduate engineering students at a minority long learning

Collection

2018 Gulf Southwest Section Conference

Authors

Jitendra Tate; Craig Hanks; Harold Stern; Walt Trybula

challenges that arose during this project.We also hope to learn about faculty resources others 2. Ethics Infusion at Texas State, Part 1,have found most helpful in allowing faculty with Backgrounddiverse cultural and professional backgrounds to During the three years of our NSF-funded projecteffectively infuse ethics into technical courses. (#1242087, http://nsf-nue- nanotra.engineering.txstate.edu/home.html), we1. Introduction created, deployed, and evaluated curricula for onlineTexas State University, rare among public and face-to-face course modules taught as fulluniversities in the United

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2018 Gulf Southwest Section Conference

Authors

Sarah Seraj; June Young Park; Michael Pieratt

Teaching Engineering Ethics in the Classroom through a Town Hall Meeting Activity Sarah Seraj1*, June Young Park1, Michael Pieratt2 1 Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, 301 E Dean Keeton St, Stop C1700, Austin, TX 78712 2 General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., 14200 Kirkham Way, Poway, CA 92064 *E-mail: sarahseraj@utexas.eduAbstract nature of their projects, even a small mistake or misstep in Engineers often contribute to projects that impact many their work can endanger the health

Collection

2018 Gulf Southwest Section Conference

Authors

Roman Taraban; William M. Marcy; Mark S. LaCour; Dashiell Pashley; Klara Keim

(e.g., the, a, in, on) and pronouns (e.g., he,related programs like those described below, are based on she, they). In order to provide a more general description ofthe assumption that the words that a person uses reveal the concepts in a text, MEH converts words to lemmas.information about the person’s cognitions, motivations, This allows MEH to identify key concepts in the sample ofattitudes, and emotions. texts. LIWC has been tested in a large number of studies and There are several published studies in the researchwide range of contexts. As one example, Robinson, Navea, literature that apply MEH to qualitative, open-ended data.and Ickes [1] found that the

Collection

2018 Gulf Southwest Section Conference

Authors

Talal D. Gamadi; Bethany Disque; Marshal Watson; Lloyd Heinze

Effective Student Outcomes Assessment Plan Reform Strong Undergraduate Curriculum Plan Talal D. Gamadi, Bethany Disque, Marshal Watson, and Lloyd Heinze Texas Tech University/ Bob L. Herd Department of Petroleum Engineering 807 Boston Avenue, Box 43111, Lubbock, Texas, 79409, USA E-mail: talal.gamadi@ttu.edu Abstract  $1 million in undergraduate core and rheology The undergraduate curriculum committee from the Bob laboratories, replacing all undergraduate labL. Herd Department of Petroleum Engineering at Texas equipment.Tech University has made

Collection

2018 Gulf Southwest Section Conference

Authors

John Attia; Mahamadou tembely; Lisa Hobson; Pamela Obiomon

multiple courses in 1. Introduction the electrical and computer engineering curricula. It has been reported that persistence rate of engineeringstudents is relatively low. One of the reasons given bystudents for the low retention rate is the use of teaching 2. Experimental Centric Pedagogy inmethods that are not suitable for current populations of HBCUsstudents who learn and acquire new knowledge quite Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) is one of thedifferently from those of earlier generations, and students Historic Black College and University (HBCU) in thefinding learning environments that are

Collection

2018 Gulf Southwest Section Conference

Authors

Cynthia C. Fry; Steven P. Potter

recognize the need for professionals who are able to bridge theintegration of the two fields.”[1] In Baylor University’s School divide between the disciplines and “integrate computation andof Engineering & Computer Science, the Embedded Systems physicality for the bottom up,” using non-traditional designcourse in the Department of Computer Science, and the methods.[4],[5]Embedded Systems Design course in the Department ofElectrical and Computer Engineering have been offered In Baylor

Collection

2018 Gulf Southwest Section Conference

Authors

Viktor N_ssi; Ana Goulart

analyzers, vector signal generators,arbitrary waveform generators, and signal analyzers, which However, there are two practical challenges that professorswill help their engineering and/or research careers. face to keep the experiential learning relevant in their courses. One is to keep their wireless course – lecture and laboratory - up-to-date with current wireless technologies.1. Introduction The other is the cost of laboratory equipment, because higher frequency ranges mean higher costs. For example

Collection

2018 Gulf Southwest Section Conference

Authors

Yu-Fang Jin

. training design was illustrated in Figure 1.1. Introduction Critical thinking is defined as “the intellectuallydisciplined process of actively and skillfullyconceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/orevaluating information gathered from, or generated by,observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, orcommunication, as a guide to belief and action.[1, 2]Different practice guidelines and resources have beenestablished and available for instructors to follow forcourse design and instruction.[3] However, recent reportshave illustrated the failure of improving critical thinking inhigher education.[4, 5] Such failure is partially due to themissing training modules specifically for critical thinkingskills in our higher education

Collection

2018 Gulf Southwest Section Conference

Authors

Hector A. Ochoa; Mukul V. Shirvaikar

A Survey of Digital Systems Curriculum and Pedagogy in Electrical and Computer Engineering Programs Hector A. Ochoa1 and Mukul V. Shirvaikar2 1 Stephen F. Austin State University 1936 North St, Nacogdoches, TX 75962 USA 2 University of Texas at Tyler 3900 University Blvd, Tyler, TX 75025 USA E-mail: ochoah@sfasu.edu, mshirvaikar@uttyler.edu Abstract “touch and feel” the

Collection

2018 Gulf Southwest Section Conference

Authors

Randall D. Manteufel; Amir Karimi

Tracking Student Success in Order to Assess the Instructor Effectiveness to Improve Student Retention and Graduation Rates Randall D. Manteufel & Amir Karimi University of Texas at San Antonio One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX 78249 USA E-mail: rmanteufel@utsa.edu Abstract class” and students select 1 through 5 with 1=poor to This paper explores the metric of follow-on student 5=excellent. The usefulness and potential biases of studentsuccess that can be considered when evaluating an surveys has long been

Collection

2018 Gulf Southwest Section Conference

Authors

Chaoyi Wang; Michael Frye; Sreerenjini Nair

culminating with a final presentation and skit. The camp was enriched by various project-based learning activities including environmental sustainability,1. Introduction biologically inspired robots, EV3 Lego Mindstorms robots,1.1 Overview of miniGEMS STEAM Camp control of robots, and computer programming. The miniGEMS is the first free camp in San Antonio for participants had opportunities to build and compete usingmiddle school girls in grades six to eight with a special

Collection

2018 Gulf Southwest Section Conference

Authors

Maura Borrego; Anita Patrick; Luis Martins; Meagan Kendall

A New Scale for Measuring Engineering Identity in Undergraduates Maura Borrego1, Anita Patrick2, Luis Martins3, and Meagan Kendall4 University of Texas at Austin 1 Mechanical Engineering, 2STEM Education, 3Management 204 E. Dean Keeton Street, Stop C2200, ETC II 5.160 Austin, Texas 78712-1591, USA E-mail: maura.borrego@austin.utexas.edu 4 The University of Texas at El Paso Department of Engineering Education and Leadership

Collection

2018 Gulf Southwest Section Conference

Authors

Margo Cousins; Brandi DeMont; Laura Suggs; Mia K. Markey

Coordinating Summer Undergraduate Research Programs for Expanding Diversity and Impact: Opportunities and Challenges Margo Cousins*, Brandi DeMont, Laura Suggs, Mia K. Markey The University of Texas at Austin Department of Biomedical Engineering 107 W. Dean Keeton St., Austin, Texas 78712 E-mail: margocousins@utexas.edu *presenting author Introduction 1. Challenges: Variability in Programs’ During summers 2015-2017, we operated a National Goals

Collection

2018 Gulf Southwest Section Conference

Authors

Matt Leonard; Joseph Morgan; Jeremy P. Coffelt

development of theDSTR robot as a collaborative design developed by theMobile Integrated Solutions Laboratory (MISL) at TexasA&M University and ASEP 4X4 Inc. Texas Instruments hasbeen a major partner in the integration of the controlelectronics, and Texas Space Technology Applications andResearch (T STAR) LLC has played a significant role in thepropagation of the DSTR robot as an adaptable appliedresearch/education/STEM outreach platform. The paper willpresent examples of the strong industry-academic Fig. 1 DSTR Computer Modelrelationships that allow the DSTR robot to be utilized in amultitude of experiential learning environments. In addition The DSTR Robot was designed by a number ofto a number of STEM

Collection

2018 Gulf Southwest Section Conference

Authors

Mia K. Markey; JoÜo Carlos Monteiro; Julie Stewart

Using Twitter to Support Students’ Design Thinking Mia K. Markey1*, João Carlos Monteiro2, Julie Stewart3 1 Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin2 Institute for Systems and Computer Engineering, Technology and Science (INESC TEC), Porto 3 Faculty Innovation Center, The University of Texas at Austin 107 W. Dean Keeton BME 3.314 C0800, Austin TX 78712 E-mail: mia.markey@utexas.edu Abstract class was hosted at Faculdade de Engenharia da The goal of the short-term study abroad course

Collection

2018 Gulf Southwest Section Conference

Authors

Hyun Seop Lee; Y. D. Kim; Edwin Thomas

students are the global learners [1]. For both of plates which can cause moment at the tips of members.them, it is important to teach the related topics with different Therefore, the problem from the difference arises and theapproaches. However, to review all contents in a short time students need to set up the procedure to confirm that thisduration would be helpful to both. difference can be negligible. In the project, they set up four This study is the application of integrated structural analyses to compare each other: a theoretical method usinganalysis education including mechanics, an experiment, and pin joints, an experimental method using gusset plates, acomputational

Collection

2018 Gulf Southwest Section Conference

Authors

Rochelle Williams; Sherri Frizell; Felecia Nave; Audie Thompson

Using Experiential and Collaborative Learning to promote Careers in Engineering Rochelle Williams2, Sherri Frizell1, Felecia Nave1,2 and Audie Thompson1 1 Roy G. Perry College of Engineering, 2Academic Affairs, Prairie View A&M University 700 University Drive, Prairie View, TX, 77446, USA E-mail: akthompson@pvamu.edu, ssfrizell@pvamu.edu, rlwilliams@pvamu.edu, fmnave@pvamu.edu Abstract build core skills in math during the critical summer months This paper discusses the design of the Girls Accelerating [7].and Learning STEM (G.A.L.S.) one-week residential In an effort to increase the number of

Collection

2018 Gulf Southwest Section Conference

Authors

Julia N. Savoy; Mia K. Markey; H. Grady Rylander III

The Talking Points Tool: A Brief Intervention to Support Predoctoral Student and Faculty Advisor Communication Julia N. Savoy1, Mia K. Markey*2, H. Grady Rylander, III2 *Presenting Author 1 University of Wisconsin-Madison 1025 W. Johnson St., 570B Educational Sciences, Madison, WI, 53706, USA E-mail: julia.savoy@wisc.edu 2 The University of Texas at Austin 107 W. Dean Keeton, BME Building, Austin, TX, 78712, USA

Collection

2018 Gulf Southwest Section Conference

Authors

John R. Clegg; Kenneth R. Diller

problems4.participated in a challenge-based instruction biotransportcourse, offered by the UT Austin BME Department in an The GIM consists of three main components (Figure 1). In theaccelerated format, at the University of Cambridge. Students’ first, an initial considerations step, students dissect theattitudes toward, and aptitude for solving genuine and complex challenge prompt for important information, insights, andbiomedical problems were assessed throughout the semester directional