Engagement in Practice: The GOAL Engineering Kit Initiative

Matthew Aruch; Vincent Nguyen; Rebecca Kenemuth

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Conference: 2022 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Publication Date: August 23, 2022
Start Date: June 26, 2022
End Date: June 29, 2022
Conference Session: Community Engagement Division Technical Session 1 - STEM Outreach
Page Count: 8
DOI: 10.18260/1-2--41869
Permanent URL: https://peer.asee.org/41869
Download Count: 311

Vincent P. Nguyen is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Maryland, College Park (UMCP). He received his B.S., M.S., and PhD. in mechanical engineering from the University of Maryland, College Park. He is a founding member of the Environmental and Socially Responsible Engineering (ESRE) group who work to integrate and track conscientious engineering aspects throughout the undergraduate educational experience. His efforts include formally integrating sustainability design requirements into the mechanical engineering capstone projects, introducing non-profit partnerships related to designs for persons with disabilities, and founding the Social/Environmental Design Impact Award. He manages several outreach and diversity efforts including the large-scale Get Out And Learn (GOAL) engineering kit program that reaches thousands of local K-12 students. He has received the Volunteers for Medical Engineering (VME) 2020 Faculty of the Year award, Engineering for US All (e4usa) 2021 Most Outstanding University Partner Award, and the VME 2021 Volunteer of the Year award.

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Rebecca Kenemuth

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Abstract

This paper details the vision, implementation, and a preliminary evaluation of The Get Out And Learn Engineering Kit Initiative (GOAL). Initiated in April 2020, GOAL developed as a COVID response to the forced cancellation of in-person, engineering outreach summer programs for middle and high school students. The GOAL kit includes materials and curriculum for a build-it-yourself dragster and hands-on engineering exploration activities for middle and high school students. Thus far, the kit has been distributed to approximately 3500 student participants. Program administration and implementation is a collaboration between Engineering based academic units, student services, and living learning programs with financial support from industry partners. The GOAL program has two key activities. First, the initiative serves an important outreach function, distributing kits to middle and high schools across three school districts. Second, the program combines the outreach effort with innovative undergraduate coursework. A set of two undergraduate courses bring together university STEM students with K-12 teachers in a collaborative participatory design that culminates with the development and manufacturing of the next set of GOAL materials, lessons, and activities for distribution.

GOAL has two important outcomes. On one hand, it encourages dialogue and furthers partnerships between and among the campus community and its school neighbors to encourage critical discussions of issues around STEM education including diversity, equity, and inclusion in engineering. In addition, the participatory and collaborative design process ensures program sustainability, solidifying the process for designing, producing, distributing, and implementing GOAL in K-12 schools.

Our paper discusses tensions and opportunities within the initiative including cross-departmental and institutional collaboration, University - Public School engagement, K-12 STEM outreach, undergraduate social/technical project-based doing, and social entrepreneurship. Collectively, the outcomes of this project aim to strengthen the pathway into STEM careers by connecting K-12 students, undergraduate students, community members, industry leaders, and other relevant actors.

Citation
Format

Aruch, M., & Nguyen, V., & Kenemuth, R. (2022, August), Engagement in Practice: The GOAL Engineering Kit Initiative Paper presented at 2022 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Minneapolis, MN. 10.18260/1-2--41869

TY - CPAPER
AB - This paper details the vision, implementation, and a preliminary evaluation of The Get Out And Learn Engineering Kit Initiative (GOAL). Initiated in April 2020, GOAL developed as a COVID response to the forced cancellation of in-person, engineering outreach summer programs for middle and high school students. The GOAL kit includes materials and curriculum for a build-it-yourself dragster and hands-on engineering exploration activities for middle and high school students. Thus far, the kit has been distributed to approximately 3500 student participants. Program administration and implementation is a collaboration between Engineering based academic units, student services, and living learning programs with financial support from industry partners. The GOAL program has two key activities. First, the initiative serves an important outreach function, distributing kits to middle and high schools across three school districts. Second, the program combines the outreach effort with innovative undergraduate coursework. A set of two undergraduate courses bring together university STEM students with K-12 teachers in a collaborative participatory design that culminates with the development and manufacturing of the next set of GOAL materials, lessons, and activities for distribution.

GOAL has two important outcomes. On one hand, it encourages dialogue and furthers partnerships between and among the campus community and its school neighbors to encourage critical discussions of issues around STEM education including diversity, equity, and inclusion in engineering. In addition, the participatory and collaborative design process ensures program sustainability, solidifying the process for designing, producing, distributing, and implementing GOAL in K-12 schools.

Our paper discusses tensions and opportunities within the initiative including cross-departmental and institutional collaboration, University - Public School engagement, K-12 STEM outreach, undergraduate social/technical project-based doing, and social entrepreneurship. Collectively, the outcomes of this project aim to strengthen the pathway into STEM careers by connecting K-12 students, undergraduate students, community members, industry leaders, and other relevant actors.
AU - Matthew Aruch
AU - Vincent Nguyen
AU - Rebecca Kenemuth
CY - Minneapolis, MN
DA - 2022/08/23
PB - ASEE Conferences
TI - Engagement in Practice: The GOAL Engineering Kit Initiative
UR - https://peer.asee.org/41869
DO - 10.18260/1-2--41869
ER -