Engineers on Wheels: A Mobile Engineering Outreach Program
- Conference
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2018 CoNECD - The Collaborative Network for Engineering and Computing Diversity Conference
- Location
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Crystal City, Virginia
- Publication Date
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April 29, 2018
- Start Date
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April 29, 2018
- End Date
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May 2, 2018
- Conference Session
- Tagged Topic
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Pre K-12 Education
- Page Count
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5
- DOI
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10.18260/1-2--29532
- Permanent URL
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https://peer.asee.org/29532
- Download Count
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351
Paper Authors
Bhumi Mevawala Engineers on Wheels
I am a senior civil engineering major at Rowan University focusing on the studies of young students and engineering in the nearby public schools since the beginning of 2017. As a researcher, I am tasked with surveying the students at the beginning and at the end of the program to calculate how students' interest in engineering has changed over the weeks after multiple activities and simulations. Engineering is a very big part of my life and I would like to share my experiences and knowledge with younger students to spark their interest in this topic.
Angelique Tucker Engineers on Wheels
Ms. Angelique Tucker is a senior civil engineering major at Rowan University and has been involved with the EOW program for two years. She has been to many different schools, where she met many different students with whom she has enjoyed working throughout her time on the team.
Amanda Rose Basantis Engineers on Wheels
I am a junior civil engineering major at Rowan University. I have recently been focusing on the studies of middle school students and engineering in the public schools nearby. The students complete an initial survey to determine their knowledge of engineering before hands-on activities and projects are completed. The goal is to spark students' knowledge of engineering at a young age by performing experiments and activities. A final survey is given after the activities are conducted to understand how much the students have learned about engineering.
Elizabeth Beatty Engineers on Wheels
I am a senior civil engineering major at Rowan University. I have participated in the Engineers on Wheels clinics since the second semester of junior year.
Joseph Egan Engineers on Wheels
I am a junior at Rowan University, currently studying mechanical engineering. My research is focused on increasing interest in STEM education in K-6 students. We achieve this primarily through interactive, hand-on activities that we bring into local classrooms. These activities engage the students and increases their interest in math and science courses at a younger age. My passion for engineering comes from my childhood interest in robotics, and I want to give other students similar experiences.
Kauser Jahan Rowan University
Kauser Jahan, is a Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Rowan University. She received her B.S.C.E. from the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, an M.S.C.E. from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, and a Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. Her passion as an educator and mentor has been recognized by many professional organizations over the years. She is the recipient of the Gloucester County Women of Achievement Award, Lindback Foundation Teaching Award, the New Jersey ASCE Educator of the Year award, the Gary J. Hunter Excellence in Mentoring Award, the ASEE Environmental Engineering Division Meritorious Service Award, the ASEE Women in Engineering Division Sharon A. Keillor Award, and the WEPAN Women in Engineering Initiative Award. She has been instrumental in establishing the Attracting Women into Engineering, the Engineers on Wheels, and Engineering Clinics for Teachers programs at Rowan University. She has served as the Institutional Representative and Advisory Board Chair for the Women's Professional Network at Rowan University for six years and currently is an advisory board member of the New Jersey Chapter of the American Council on Education (ACE) Office of Women in Higher Education (OWHE). She received a Fulbright award in 2015.
Abstract
Engineers on Wheels (EOW) is a mobile engineering outreach program sponsored by Rowan University and the Martinson Foundation. Each semester, a group of 4-6 interdisciplinary engineering students is tasked to bring lessons that cover science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) to a number of elementary and middle schools, focusing on students from grades 5-8. On a weekly basis for a span of approximately six weeks, visits are made to the various schools to promote continuous learning and provide a more detailed look at the various disciplines in engineering. The repeated visits also allow the EOW team members to develop a rapport with the students that they are working with to enable them to provide mentorship and guidance in advising the children on a path to a successful career within the STEM field. Each discipline is highlighted through a traditional classroom lesson which is then paired with creative and thought-provoking hands-on activities and experiments. The activities are intended to spike student interest in STEM and facilitate a deeper understanding of the impacts that engineers have on their everyday lives. The outreach program has shown great success in maintaining and generating young student interest in STEM disciplines. The program begins and ends with an anonymous survey to allow the EOW team to quantify the changes in general knowledge and interest in pursuing engineering careers. The results over the years have consistently shown positive results. It is anticipated that these mobile efforts will result in increasingly diverse classes of engineering at Rowan University as generations of past student participants approach the college age.
Mevawala, B., & Tucker, A., & Basantis, A. R., & Beatty, E., & Egan, J., & Jahan, K. (2018, April), Engineers on Wheels: A Mobile Engineering Outreach Program Paper presented at 2018 CoNECD - The Collaborative Network for Engineering and Computing Diversity Conference, Crystal City, Virginia. 10.18260/1-2--29532
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