Conference Session

Communication in Pre-College Engineering Education

Collection

2019 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Christine M. Cunningham, Pennsylvania State University, University Park; Gregory John Kelly, Pennsylvania State University ; Natacha Meyer

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Pre-College Engineering Education

Engineering Education, 2019 Affordances of Engineering for Elementary-aged English Learners (Fundamental, Diversity)IntroductionEnglish learners are a rapidly growing population in elementary schools [1, 2]. Over 16% ofchildren entering kindergarten are English learners and this number is growing [3]. Thesestudents bring a wealth of perspectives and ideas to the classroom and need the opportunity toparticipate in classroom experiences, including those in engineering, science, and math, todevelop interest in and knowledge of these fields. Currently English learners areunderrepresented in STEM fields. Tapping the ideas and knowledge of English learners isimportant to bring greater equity to school systems, advance the

Conference Session

Best Practices in Out-of-School Time

Collection

2019 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Nena E. Bloom, Northern Arizona University; Elisabeth Roberts, Northern Arizona University; Lori Rubino-Hare, Northern Arizona University; Haylee Nichole Archer, Northern Arizona University; Christine M. Cunningham, Museum of Science, Boston; Joelle Clark, Northern Arizona University

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Pre-College Engineering Education

Paper ID #26385How Educators Implement Engineering Curricula in OST Settings (Funda-mental)Dr. Nena E. Bloom, Northern Arizona University Dr. Nena Bloom is an evaluator and education researcher at the Center for Science Teaching and Learning at Northern Arizona University. The primary area of her work is evaluating STEM education projects that focus on opportunities for, and retention of, K-20 students in STEM areas, majors and fields. She also conducts education research focusing on questions about professional development for educators and how educators support student learning in STEM.Dr. Elisabeth Roberts, Northern

Conference Session

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering Division: Fundamental; K-12 Students & Engineering Division: Fundamental; K-12 Students & Engineering Design Practices: Best Paper Session

Collection

2016 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Morgan M. Hynes, Purdue University, West Lafayette; Tamara J. Moore, Purdue University, West Lafayette; Monica E. Cardella, Purdue University, West Lafayette; Kristina Maruyama Tank, Iowa State University; Senay Purzer, Purdue University, West Lafayette; Muhsin Menekse, Purdue University; Sean P. Brophy, Purdue University, West Lafayette

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Pre-College Engineering Education Division

Paper ID #16833Inspiring Computational Thinking in Young Children’s Engineering DesignActivities (Fundamental)Dr. Morgan M. Hynes, Purdue University, West Lafayette Dr. Morgan Hynes is an Assistant Professor in the School of Engineering Education at Purdue Univer- sity and Director of the FACE Lab research group at Purdue. In his research, Hynes explores the use of engineering to integrate academic subjects in K-12 classrooms. Specific research interests include design metacognition among learners of all ages; the knowledge base for teaching K-12 STEM through engi- neering; the relationships among the attitudes, beliefs

Conference Session

PCEE Session 13: Equity in P-12 Engineering Education

Collection

2022 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Christine Cunningham, Pennsylvania State University; Gregory Kelly, Pennsylvania State University

Paper ID #36657Curriculum Design Principles for Equity in Engineering(Fundamental, Diversity)Christine M Cunningham (Professor Education and Engineering) Dr. Christine M. Cunningham is a Professor of Practice in Education and Engineering at the Pennsylvania State University. She aims make engineering, science, and computational thinking education more equitable, especially for populations that are underserved and underrepresented in STEM. Christine is the founding director of Youth Engineering Solutions (YES), which develops equity-oriented, research-based, and field-tested curricula and professional learning

Conference Session

Unique Courses & Services for Freshmen

Collection

2004 Annual Conference

Authors

Audeen Fentiman; John Demel; Richard Freuler

evolutionary progress waspartially documented1-4 in previous efforts. The present work provides both comprehensive andup-to-date description and details of the Fundamentals of Engineering for Honors Program(FEH), in part by incorporating some highlights found in more recent companion papers5-8 intoone work.In response to a national concern in the early 1990s about poor retention of students inengineering combined with a real, or some would say critical, need for more engineers, OhioState worked with nine other schools to form the Gateway Engineering Education Coalition.This need for engineers was and currently is driven by society's ever- increasing consumption oftechnology. The Coalition, led by Drexel University, was established as a result of the

Conference Session

Introduction to Materials Courses

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Kathleen Kitto, Western Washington University

Tagged Divisions

Materials

AC 2009-1725: ENHANCING FUNDAMENTAL MATERIALS ENGINEERINGEDUCATION USING BIOMEDICAL DEVICES AND CASE STUDIESKathleen Kitto, Western Washington University Page 14.567.1© American Society for Engineering Education, 2009 Enhancing Fundamental Materials Engineering Education Using Biomedical Devices and Case StudiesAbstractDuring the past six years several best practices in teaching and learning have been implementedin our Introduction to Materials Engineering course to transform the course from a traditionallecture only course to a course that is centered on conceptual and active learning. In addition,this academic year the content of the course was also

Conference Session

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering Division: Student Reflection, Self-Perception, Misconceptions, and Uncertainty

Collection

2016 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Andrew Jackson, Purdue University, West Lafayette; Nathan Mentzer, Purdue University, West Lafayette; Dawn Laux; David Sears; Paul Asunda, Purdue University

Tagged Divisions

Pre-College Engineering Education Division

Paper ID #16327Student Self-Perceptions of Design and Creative Thinking (Fundamental)Mr. Andrew Jackson, Purdue University, West Lafayette Andrew Jackson is currently pursuing a PhD in Technology through Purdue’s Polytechnic Institute. His previous middle school teaching experience informs his role as a graduate teaching assistant for TECH 120, an introductory course in design thinking. He recently completed his Master of Science in Technol- ogy Leadership and Innovation from Purdue University with a thesis investigating middle school engi- neering self-efficacy beliefs. His research interests are engineering self

Conference Session

WORKSHOP I: Designing Active Learning Activities with Ethics in Mind, and Body (no matter if this is a fundamental principles class or an ethics-as-a-stand alone class, or any class in-between)

Collection

FYEE 2025 Conference

Authors

Nicole Farkas Mogul, University of Maryland, College Park; David Tomblin, University of Maryland, College Park; Timothy Duane Reedy, University of Maryland, College Park

Tagged Topics

FYEE 2025

Paper ID #49785Workshop: Designing Active Learning Activities with Ethics in Mind, andBody (no matter if this is a fundamental principles class or an ethics-as-a-standalone class, or any class in-between)Dr. Nicole Farkas Mogul, University of Maryland, College Park Nicole Mogul is a professor of engineering ethics and Science, Technology and Society at the University of Maryland, College Park.Dr. David Tomblin, University of Maryland, College Park David is the director of the Science, Technology and Society program at the University of Maryland, College Park. He works with STEM majors on the ethical and social dimensions of

Conference Session

Assessment

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Michael Collura, University of New Haven; Samuel Daniels, University of New Haven

Tagged Divisions

Educational Research and Methods

AC 2008-2439: HOW ACCURATE IS STUDENTS’ SELF-ASSESSMENT OFCOMPUTER SKILLS?Michael Collura, University of New HavenSamuel Daniels, University of New Haven Page 13.671.1© American Society for Engineering Education, 2008 How Accurate is Students’ Self-Assessment of Computer Skills? AbstractSelf-evaluation by students is commonly used as a key element in program and courseassessment plans. Such instruments are intended to provide crucial feedback for programimprovement and thus play a significant role in closing our assessment loop. For many of theprogram outcomes, self-assessment by current students and graduates augments other

Conference Session

ERM Technical Session 10: Understanding Student Experiences

Collection

2019 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Chris C. Martin, Georgia Institute of Technology; Joseph M. LeDoux, Georgia Institute of Technology; Wendy C. Newstetter, Georgia Institute of Technology

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Educational Research and Methods

on problem-solving, diagrammatic reasoning, and on the socio-cognitive aspects of the flipped and blended learning environments.Dr. Wendy C. Newstetter, Georgia Institute of Technology Dr Wendy C. Newstetter is the Assistant Dean for Educational Research and Innovation in the College of Engineering at Georgia Tech. c American Society for Engineering Education, 2019 Is Optimal Distinctiveness Theory Useful for Increasing Belonging in Educational Settings?AbstractOptimal distinctiveness theory (ODT), a psychological theory about fundamental needs,postulates that people seek to balance personal uniqueness with interpersonal similarity. Wesought to leverage ODT to

Conference Session

Institutional and Curricular Reform

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

John Gardner, Boise State University; Pat Pyke, Boise State University; Cheryl Schrader, Boise State University; Janet Callahan, Boise State University; Amy Moll, Boise State University

Tagged Divisions

Educational Research and Methods

programs(institutionalization) that must be captured in any model is the temporal aspect of engagingfaculty and administration. Consistency in message over time builds confidence in facultymembers that early results were not a fluke. Likewise, administrators are likely to look askanceat a single report or result simply because their experience tells them that faculty are slow toadopt new methods and procedures.Another element touched on by the Foundation model and the UWM model described byHaglund is the necessity for iteration. Haglund suggests that the continuous review philosophy ofABET 2000 and the iterative nature of the engineering design process be applied to curriculumimprovement. We found it helpful to apply an even more fundamental

Conference Session

NSF Grantees Poster Session

Collection

2005 Annual Conference

Authors

Rufus Carter; Lisa F. Bullard; Douglas G. Schmucker; Misty Loughry; Richard Felder; Matthew Ohland; Richard Layton; Cynthia Finelli

were introduced in earlier work.1 ABET’s requirement that engineeringgraduates have an ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams2 has driven an expanded use ofcooperative learning in engineering curricula.3 A fundamental tenet of cooperative learning isholding individualThis will be achieved by improving individual accountability by adjustingteam members accountable for fulfilling their responsibilities to the team. An effective andincreasingly common way of addressing this tenet is to have team members rate one another’sperformance and to use the ratings to adjust the team assignment grades for individualperformance. The challenge is to devise a rating system that is fair, simple to administer, reliable,and valid.Our prior experience

Conference Session

Creative Ways to Present Basic Materials

Collection

2004 Annual Conference

Authors

David Niebuhr; Heather Smith

guessed. The average scorefrom the new lab on these questions was 3.7 points ± 0.2 points out of five, indicating a resultthat is more likely attributable to student learning than random guessing. This finding may seemobvious, but we wanted to know if the integration of statistics into the lab was actually retainedat the conclusion of the course. Three of the questions required basic understanding ofreplication and experimental error. Based on the poor performance by the old lab students, itseems clear that an appreciation for sources of variation in an experimental setting was notgrasped by these students. We found this fundamental oversight disturbing. However, it wasencouraging to see that upon completion of the new lab, students better

Conference Session

NSF Grantees: Workforce Development (ATE)

Collection

2020 ASEE Virtual Annual Conference Content Access

Authors

Marilyn Barger, Florida Advanced Technological Education Center; Richard Gilbert, University of South Florida

Tagged Topics

NSF Grantees Poster Session

Technician EducationLayer 2 protocol (link-layer) communications represent the critical path element in the publicand industrial realms. The interconnection of nodes (host, routers, switches and WiFi) throughindividual links in the end to end path is fundamental for information mobility. For specificinformation, the datagram is “encapsulated” as a link-layer frame with that frame transferred intoa target link.This specific example, condensed to the previous three sentence paragraph, accents technicianeducation issues. First, it is not clear that the language used to state the example is uniformacross the computer networking community. Second, it is not clear what the roles of the 4-yearand 2-year professional technologists, engineers and technicians

Conference Session

Topics in Computing and Information Technologies II

Collection

2015 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Michael Tamir; Ronald S Harichandran P.E., University of New Haven; Lueny Morell, InnovaHiEd

Tagged Divisions

Computing & Information Technology

for her work, including the prestigious US National Academy of Engineering Gordon Prize for innovations in engineering education in 2006. Recognized as one of the Engineering Education Pioneers in the US in 2014, Lueny is passionate about engineering education and innovation as fundamental pillars for economic and social well-being. She is co-founder of IFEES (Past President), GEDC and SPEED. Lueny maintains a blog on topics associated with innovation and engineering education (www.luenymorell.com; www.innovahied.com). Page 26.1354.1 c American Society for Engineering Education

Conference Session

Multidisciplinary Engineering Experiences

Collection

2020 ASEE Virtual Annual Conference Content Access

Authors

Madeline Nelson, University of San Diego; Gordon D. Hoople, University of San Diego; Joel Alejandro Mejia, University of San Diego; Diana A. Chen, University of San Diego; Susan M. Lord, University of San Diego

Tagged Divisions

Multidisciplinary Engineering

fundamental concept that is commonly taught in foundational engineering classes inthe “middle years” where students often struggle to find relevance [1], [2]. Instructors deliverlectures on the processing, production, storage and delivery of energy for industrial andhousehold purposes. There are discussions about the resources used to create energy and how tobetter use those resources. Sometimes engineering considerations of energy focus on quantitiesand numbers involving efficiency and costs. Energy continues to be one of those engineeringtopics that is siloed and discussed in isolation without a social, cultural, or environmentalcontext.The conceptualization of energy within a sociotechnical framework is critical for the formationof future

Collection

2001 Annual Conference

Authors

Mariano Savelski; Robert Hesketh; Kevin Dahm

Process Simulation and Computer SurveyIn 1996, CACHE conducted a survey that shows the influence of computers and programmingin the chemical engineering curriculum but little emphasis was placed in the use of processsimulators. To fill this gap, a survey on computer usage in the chemical engineeringcurriculum was distributed to U.S. chemical engineering department heads. (In many cases itwas forwarded to a department design specialist for completion.) The survey addressed howextensively simulation software is used in the chemical engineering curriculum, as well asmotivation for its use. The use of mathematical software and computer programming wasalso addressed. Preliminary results are presented here; the response rate as of this writing was17

Conference Session

Topics in Computing and Information Technologies II

Collection

2015 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Richard G. Helps, Brigham Young University

Tagged Divisions

Computing & Information Technology

are challenged to write a program to get the light patterns and sound effects of the “fluxcapacitor” to perform correctly. The speed of the ‘car’ as it accelerates is displayed on aspeedometer on a browser screen. Using a browser screen enables a discussion of networkingcommunications together with the experience of getting the sensors and actuators to respondappropriately. The details of this laboratory experiment and the student learning have beendiscussed in previously published reports18, 19Another example is in a computer architecture class. Computer architecture is a staple of ITprograms. To help students grasp the basics of discrete algebra the class has been structuredaround a series of design laboratories. Each laboratory experience

Conference Session

Defining Technological Literacy

Collection

2006 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Greg Pearson, National Academy of Engineering; David Ollis, North Carolina State University

Tagged Divisions

Technological Literacy Constituent Committee

of technology. A smallnumber of engineering faculty around the country have developed courses intended tointroduce non-engineering students to fundamental ideas in technology and engineering 13.Children and adults can acquire technologically literate through a variety of informallearning opportunities, such as visits to science centers and museums. In the last severalyears, for example, the Boston Museum of Science has taken an active role in promotingtechnological literacy. The museum is developing curricula and teacher educationprojects consistent with state learning standards that include a technology/engineeringstrand 14. Other museums, such as the Tech Museum of Innovation in San Jose and theOregon Museum of Science and Industry, have

Conference Session

Emerging Trends in Engineering Education

Collection

2004 Annual Conference

Authors

Ken Ports

students, with team memberssplit between the two universities. They are working on a project focused on a system for thewireless tracking of materials and people. A university in Switzerland has indicated an interestin a similar arrangement. An Aerospace Engineering team is currently collaborating with a teamfrom the Indiana Institute of Technology, and there is consideration of doing a three-universitysenior design team in the future.How About a Real, High Tech Start-Up?What if a senior design team wants to go from emulating being part of a start-up to actuallystarting up a company to take its senior design “product” to market? Florida Tech is prepared tosupport this type of activity, and as of this writing, three current or recent projects are

Conference Session

NSF Grantees Poster Session

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

John J. Duffy, University of Massachusetts, Lowell; Linda Barrington, University of Massachusetts, Lowell; Manuel A Heredia, University of Massachusetts, Lowell

Tagged Topics

NSF Grantees

degrees? ShouldABET then require service as an accreditation criteria?In this short paper, service in professional codes of conduct are explored, a case study is made ofthe opinions of beginning engineering students as well as students at all levels who have beeninvolved with service-learning projects in several courses, and the implications are considered.Service and professional societiesEngineering professional societies as well as the societies of other professions, such as theAmerican Bar Association, expect community service in their codes of ethics and conduct, as forexample, the following:NSPE (National Society of Professional Engineers) code of ethics III. Fundamental Canons

Conference Session

Thinking Outside the STEM Box: Equity, Culture & Social Justice in Education Division Technical Session 1

Collection

2022 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Joseph Valle, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor; Amy Slaton, Drexel University; Donna Riley, Purdue University at West Lafayette (COE)

through memo-ing and dialogue. We know we reproduce that which we desire and struggle against, occupyinginherently incommensurable positions. As we intentionally cultivate hope for ourselves throughour collaboration, we leverage transformative justice tools toward a praxis of collectiveaccountability to counter settler moves to innocence discussed in Tuck and Yang’s essayDecolonization is not a metaphor.Introduction If we can begin to acknowledge this fundamental truth - that genocide is this place (the American academy and, in fact, America itself) - then our operating assumptions, askable questions, and scholarly methods will need to transform. At a moment of historical emergency, we might find principled desperation

Conference Session

Educational and Professional Issues of Strategic Importance to the Civil Engineering Profession and ASCE

Collection

2021 ASEE Virtual Annual Conference Content Access

Authors

Matthew K. Swenty, Virginia Military Institute; Brian J. Swenty P.E., University of Evansville

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Civil Engineering

the NCEES Fundamentals of Engineering(FE) exam and the NCEES Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exam. Most statesrequire at least four years of experiences after completion of an EAC-ABET accreditedengineering degree. However, the education requirement is far from uniform. Many state lawsinclude pathways to licensure for applicants with a non-accredited engineering degree, anengineering technology degree, a non-engineering bachelor’s degree, and no postsecondarydegree. In the following study, state engineering laws and rules were reviewed to determine theeducation, experience, and examination pathways to professional engineering licensure. Inparticular, the accreditation requirements for applicants with EAC-ABET degrees, ETAC

Conference Session

BOK2 - Influencing Changes to the ABET Civil Engineering Program Criteria and Civil Engineering Curricula

Collection

2014 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Allen C. Estes, California Polytechnic State University; Thomas A. Lenox , Dist.M.ASCE, F.ASEE, American Society of Civil Engineers

Tagged Divisions

Civil Engineering

and reinforce that. Most professions have not developed a body of knowledge that specifies what an engineer should be able to do and at which level (baccalaureate, masters or equivalent, or experience) those skills should be attained. Because the civil engineering profession has developed an explicit body of knowledge, it is reasonable that the accreditation criteria should reflect and enforce those standards. Other engineering professions, while entirely reputable and respected, have not taken this initiative. • The new Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Examination contains questions in Hydraulics and Hydrologic Systems, Structural Analysis, Structural Design, Geotechnical Engineering

Conference Session

Architechtural Engineering Eduction: Emergent Topics

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

David Jan Cowan, Indiana University Purdue University, Indianapolis; Craig Greene, College of the North Atlantic; Modibo Boubacar Traore, Purdue University, School of Engineering and Technology; Wanda L. Worley, Indiana University Purdue University, Indianapolis; Tarawut Boonlua, Mahasarakham University

Tagged Divisions

Architectural

, learning and communicationthrough teamwork. According to Johnson, Johnson and Smith23, such active learning strategiesare increasingly recommended as the alternative[to non-active styles], in which students areempowered to think and learn for themselves.Once the lesson has started, the teacher used tips to conduct the lesson in a manner to increasestudents‟ participation level because to obtain better lesson outcomes in the architecture anddesign learning environment it is fundamental that each educator teaches according to his/herown set of ideologies and beliefs and in a manner that is distinct from others24 Page 22.1013.14Thai students are shy

Conference Session

Two-year College Potpourri

Collection

2018 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Dan G. Dimitriu, San Antonio College; Diana Carmen Dimitriu, University of Texas at San Antonio

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Two-Year College

stations. Our relationship with NASAcontinued in 2011, when two students and one faculty were accepted for ten-week summerinternships at Johnson Space Center and four students participated in solar panels research atour college. The success of this program and funding provided by several other grants helped us institute a Summer Undergraduate Research Program on our premises16 . The fundamental idea behind this program is that our students get to experience the entire research discovery process and the scientific method from A to Z, rather than acting as assistants for someone else’s research. We formed a team of three professors (one a Physics professor, one an Electrical Engineer, and me, a Mechanical Engineer) who review proposals

Collection

2014 ASEE Zone 4 Conference

Authors

John Murray; Erin Elder; Ryan Bingham; Glen Longhurst; Desmond Penny

268 The Design and Construction of a Tiny House: Small Is Beautiful John Murray, Erin Elder, Ryan Bingham, Glen Longhurst, and Desmond Penny Southern Utah UniversityAbstractThe Danish scientist and poet, Piet Hein said, “Art is solving problems that cannot be formulatedbefore they have been solved. The shaping of the solution is part of the answer.” Hein’sstatement sets the stage for a senior capstone project involving two Southern Utah University(SUU) students majoring in Integrated Engineering, and justifies their undaunted roving

Conference Session

Non-Canonical Canons of Engineering Ethics

Collection

2015 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Donna M Riley, Virginia Tech; Amy E. Slaton, Drexel University (Eng. & Eng. Tech.); Joseph R. Herkert, Arizona State University

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Ethics, Liberal Education/Engineering & Society, Technological and Engineering Literacy/Philosophy of Engineering

Paper ID #12488What is gained by articulating non-canonical engineering ethics canons?Dr. Donna M Riley, Virginia Tech Donna Riley is Professor of Engineering Education at Virginia Tech.Prof. Amy E. Slaton, Drexel University (Eng. & Eng. Tech.) Amy E. Slaton is a Professor of History at Drexel University. She write on issues of identity in STEM education and labor, and is the author of Race, Rigor and Selectivity in U.S. Engineering: The History of an Occupational Color Line .Dr. Joseph R. Herkert, Arizona State University Joseph R. Herkert, D.Sc., is Lincoln Associate Professor of Ethics and Technology (Emeritus) in

Conference Session

Interactive Approaches to Teaching Materials Fundamentals

Collection

2013 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Stephen J Krause, Arizona State University; Omowunmi Isaacs-Sodeye, Arizona State University

Tagged Divisions

Materials

Paper ID #7926The Effect of a Visually-Based Intervention on Students’ Misconceptions Re-lated to Solutions, Solubility, and Saturation in a Core Materials CourseProf. Stephen J Krause, Arizona State University Stephen J. Krause is professor in the School of Materials in the Fulton School of Engineering at Ari- zona State University. He teaches in the areas of bridging engineering and education, capstone design, and introductory materials engineering. His research interests include evaluating conceptual knowledge, misconceptions and their repair, and conceptual change. He has co-developed a Materials Concept In- ventory

Conference Session

Writing and Communication I

Collection

2005 Annual Conference

Authors

Elisa Linsky; Gunter Georgi

Technical Communication have beenintroduced. These include: technical presentations, software documentation, and proposalwriting. To introduce the fundamentals of persuasive writing, our students respond to an RFPand prepare a funding proposal for a fictional organization. This semester, the assignment hasbeen refined to include the preparation of a cover letter for the proposal.This paper will discuss teaching the skills necessary to produce good persuasive writing in ascientific or technical context. The differences in student writing when a full proposal is assignedto the writing produced when just a cover letter is assigned will be discussed. Particular attentionwill be paid to introducing these skills without eroding the preparation of