Engineering a Chain Reaction Machine: Inspiring Student Interest in Engineering and Engineering Technology (Resource Exchange)

Melissa Huppert; Jason Bruns

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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: PCEE Session 4: Resource / Curriculum Exchange
Page Count: 3
DOI: 10.18260/1-2--41193
Permanent URL: https://peer.asee.org/41193
Download Count: 363

Paper Authors

biography

Melissa Huppert Minnesota State Engineering Center of Excellence

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Melissa Huppert, Ph.D., is the STEM Outreach Director for the Minnesota State Engineering Center of Excellence. She has served in this role for over five years and oversees various grant and program development projects, as well as serves on several regional and statewide STEM-related committees. Dr. Huppert has over 15 years of experience in program development and evaluation, working primarily with STEM outreach programming, and has had research related to her work published in peer-reviewed scientific journals and presented at the international level. Dr. Huppert earned her Ph.D. from Purdue University in Agricultural Sciences Education and Communication.

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biography

Jason Bruns Minnesota State University, Mankato

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Jason Bruns is the Director of the Minnesota State Engineering Center of Excellence. He received his B.S from the University of Minnesota, Institute of Technology in Mechanical Engineering, and a Master of Business Administration from Minnesota State University Mankato. He spent 20+ years in the industry successfully serving in engineering, operations, and manufacturing leadership roles at various companies including GE. Mr. Bruns now directs the Center’s activities as it pertains to engineering education, industry connections, and program collaborations.

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Abstract

The Minnesota State Engineering Center of Excellence is hosted by Minnesota State University, Mankato, and promotes connectivity between industry, secondary schools, and Minnesota State colleges and universities. The Minnesota State Engineering Center of Excellence facilitates relationships by engaging academic institutions with industry and provides educational outreach by inspiring interest in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). The Engineering Machine Design Contest is one program developed by the Minnesota State Engineering Center of Excellence that has increased awareness of and inspired 5th-12th grade students to pursue engineering and engineering technology pathways while serving as a means of outreach and recruitment for colleges and universities.

The Engineering Machine Design Contest is an opportunity for teams of 5th-12th grade students to design and build a chain reaction machine – reusing, recycling, and reimagining everyday objects. Teams showcase their machine at a virtual or in-person regional contest where they are evaluated on a Team Journal, Team Presentation, and Machine Design and Operation with the opportunity to advance to a championship event. Program objectives include: (1) to provide a low-cost or affordable experience for students, (2) to inspire an interest in engineering and related career pathways, and (3) to equip students with skills that will help prepare them for future careers.

Each year a competition theme is chosen to guide the machine build and allow for whimsical creativity to flourish. The chosen theme is aligned with the National Academy of Engineering Grand Engineering Challenges and teams are challenged to incorporate the theme into their machine design and presentation in a meaningful way that connects to a real-world problem. Furthermore, the program is aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards for Engineering Design. Students are able to explore STEM principles while having fun in a collaborative environment.

This program is generally organized at the regional level by secondary and post-secondary academic institutions. The Engineering Machine Design Contest serves as a means for colleges and universities with engineering or engineering technology programs to outreach and engage with local secondary students and teachers. Additionally, it provides an opportunity to increase awareness of engineering-related post-secondary programs that might be of interest to participating students. There is no fee to implement this programming.

At the secondary school level, teams are generally formed within an existing class. For example, a physics instructor or technical education instructor will incorporate the machine build into their existing course and have their students compete at a regional Engineering Machine Design Contest as part of a class requirement or as extra credit. Alternatively, some teams are formed as extracurricular, afterschool activities or clubs.

Based on data from the 2021 program evaluation, 100% (n=10) of team coaches would recommend this program to others and agreed that the Engineering Machine Design Contest: (1) connects the dots of engineering and engineering technology learning and real-world application, (2) contributes to students achieving their professional/career interests/goals, and (3) equips students with skills that will help prepare them for future careers. Moreover, this program was designed to be accessible to underserved student populations with nine out of 10 coaches reporting their students were from underserved or rural communities and/or underrepresented populations in STEM.

Citation
Format

Huppert, M., & Bruns, J. (2022, August), Engineering a Chain Reaction Machine: Inspiring Student Interest in Engineering and Engineering Technology (Resource Exchange) Paper presented at 2022 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Minneapolis, MN. 10.18260/1-2--41193

TY  - CPAPER
AB  - The Minnesota State Engineering Center of Excellence is hosted by Minnesota State University, Mankato, and promotes connectivity between industry, secondary schools, and Minnesota State colleges and universities. The Minnesota State Engineering Center of Excellence facilitates relationships by engaging academic institutions with industry and provides educational outreach by inspiring interest in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). The Engineering Machine Design Contest is one program developed by the Minnesota State Engineering Center of Excellence that has increased awareness of and inspired 5th-12th grade students to pursue engineering and engineering technology pathways while serving as a means of outreach and recruitment for colleges and universities.

The Engineering Machine Design Contest is an opportunity for teams of 5th-12th grade students to design and build a chain reaction machine – reusing, recycling, and reimagining everyday objects. Teams showcase their machine at a virtual or in-person regional contest where they are evaluated on a Team Journal, Team Presentation, and Machine Design and Operation with the opportunity to advance to a championship event. Program objectives include: (1) to provide a low-cost or affordable experience for students, (2) to inspire an interest in engineering and related career pathways, and (3) to equip students with skills that will help prepare them for future careers.

Each year a competition theme is chosen to guide the machine build and allow for whimsical creativity to flourish. The chosen theme is aligned with the National Academy of Engineering Grand Engineering Challenges and teams are challenged to incorporate the theme into their machine design and presentation in a meaningful way that connects to a real-world problem. Furthermore, the program is aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards for Engineering Design. Students are able to explore STEM principles while having fun in a collaborative environment.

This program is generally organized at the regional level by secondary and post-secondary academic institutions. The Engineering Machine Design Contest serves as a means for colleges and universities with engineering or engineering technology programs to outreach and engage with local secondary students and teachers. Additionally, it provides an opportunity to increase awareness of engineering-related post-secondary programs that might be of interest to participating students. There is no fee to implement this programming.

At the secondary school level, teams are generally formed within an existing class. For example, a physics instructor or technical education instructor will incorporate the machine build into their existing course and have their students compete at a regional Engineering Machine Design Contest as part of a class requirement or as extra credit. Alternatively, some teams are formed as extracurricular, afterschool activities or clubs.

Based on data from the 2021 program evaluation, 100% (n=10) of team coaches would recommend this program to others and agreed that the Engineering Machine Design Contest: (1) connects the dots of engineering and engineering technology learning and real-world application, (2) contributes to students achieving their professional/career interests/goals, and (3) equips students with skills that will help prepare them for future careers. Moreover, this program was designed to be accessible to underserved student populations with nine out of 10 coaches reporting their students were from underserved or rural communities and/or underrepresented populations in STEM.
AU  - Melissa Huppert
AU  - Jason Bruns
CY  - Minneapolis, MN
DA  - 2022/08/23
PB  - ASEE Conferences
TI  - Engineering a Chain Reaction Machine: Inspiring Student Interest in Engineering and Engineering Technology (Resource Exchange)
UR  - https://peer.asee.org/41193
DO  - 10.18260/1-2--41193
ER  -