Virtual Conference
July 26, 2021
July 26, 2021
July 19, 2022
Engineering Technology
Diversity
13
10.18260/1-2--37849
https://peer.asee.org/37849
320
Brian Tedeschi is a current Graduate Student at Purdue University with research interests in STEM Education and informal learning environments. Brian received his Bachelor's Degree from Purdue University in Mechanical Engineering Technology and is currently working towards a Master's degree in Engineering Technology.
Julia Miller is a Grad Student pursuing a masters in Engineering Technology with a specialization in engineering/STEM education research at Purdue University. She received her undergrad degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology at Purdue University as well.
Dr. Lucietto has focused her research in engineering technology education and the understanding of engineering technology students. She teaches in an active learning style which engages and develops practical skills in the students. Currently she is exploring the performance and attributes of engineering technology students and using that knowledge to engage them in their studies.
Nancy L. Denton, PE, CVA3, is a professor of MET and associate head of Purdue University's School of Engineering Technology. She spent nine years on Vibration Institute’s Board of Directors, and continues to serve on its Academic and Certification Scheme Committees. She is a Fellow and former Board member of ASEE, and a member of ASME.
Summer 2020 provided the motivation and opportunity to move summer outreach programs into the virtual world. Faculty and students in the XXXX University School of Engineering Technology moved face-to-face programs into a middle school program called Techie Times. This program was designed to provide students with an organized platform occurring just before the school year started, allowing them to learn at home, working with family, or independently.
The program was designed to take place non-consecutively over eight days, covering five various STEM topics. Some of these activities were already a part of the middle school curriculum; others were not. That provided an opportunity to engage students and teach them principles that support various engineering technology curricula. Students were recruited from across the country. Students were placed into three cohorts sorted by biological age and then into smaller groups to enhance interactions. Volunteers moderated the smaller groups representing corporate engineering retirees, university professors, and others interested in helping. The volunteers were provided with information to support the principles being learned in the activity of the day. They asked the students to demonstrate what they did at home and then asked them questions about what they learned from the activity. In the older age groups, volunteers generated hypotheses and tested them to see if they worked, thus providing a challenge for the older and more experienced students.
This camp proved to be well-timed on the summer calendar. Parents expressed their pleasure in their students becoming a bit more disciplined as they transitioned from their summer activities to the upcoming school year. This paper will review the program’s curriculum, observations by the parents/guardians, and feedback from the students. The program is an example of a well-transformed outreach program that engaged and enlightened students.
Tedeschi, B. D., & Miller, J. K., & Lucietto, A. M., & Denton, N. L. (2021, July), The Development of Techie Times Paper presented at 2021 ASEE Virtual Annual Conference Content Access, Virtual Conference. 10.18260/1-2--37849
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