Virtual Exchange Embedded in a STEM Summer Camp Improved United States High School Students' Awareness of Filipino Culture

Matthew J. Traum; Tonika Jones; Jodi Angela Doher; Kurtis Gurley; Jeremy A. Magruder Waisome; Adrienne Leigh Provost

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Conference: 2024 South East Section Meeting
Location: Marietta, Georgia
Publication Date: March 10, 2024
Start Date: March 10, 2024
End Date: March 12, 2024
Tagged Topic: Diversity
Page Count: 16
DOI: 10.18260/1-2--45582
Permanent URL: https://peer.asee.org/45582
Download Count: 14

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Paper Authors

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Matthew J. Traum University of Florida orcid.org/0000-0002-1105-0439

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Dr. Matthew J. Traum is a Senior Lecturer and Associate Instructional Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the University of Florida. He is PI of UF's GatorKits Laboratory and Associate Director of UF's Center for Engineering Design. Dr. Traum is also a Director of RaveBio Inc., a biotechnology startup founded by former students. Dr. Traum is an experienced educator, administrator, fund raiser, and researcher. As of early 2024, he has co-authored an Open Educational Resource (OER) engineering design textbook, a book chapter, 21 peer-reviewed research and pedagogical journal papers, 60 refereed research and pedagogical conference articles, and he has given 5 invited presentations. As PI or Co-PI, Traum has attracted over $960K in funding for research and education. A serial entrepreneur, Dr. Traum was founding CEO of Engineer Inc., an education technology social enterprise and leading STEM instructional lab kit manufacturer prior to his UF appointment.

Previously, Dr. Traum was an Associate Professor and Director of Engineering Programs at Philadelphia University. He also served on the Milwaukee School of Engineering faculty as well as co-founding the Mechanical and Energy Engineering Department at the University of North Texas – Denton.

Traum received Ph.D. and M.S. degrees in mechanical engineering from MIT, and he holds dual B.S. degrees from the UC Irvine in mechanical and aerospace engineering.

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Dr. Jeremy A. Magruder Waisome is an Assistant Professor in the Engineering Education Department at the University of Florida (UF). Her research focuses on self-efficacy and critical mentoring. She is passionate about broadening participation in engineering, leveraging evidence-based approaches to improve the engineering education environment.

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Adrienne Leigh Provost University of Florida

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Abstract

This paper explores the integration of a Virtual Exchange (VE) experience into STEMTank 2023, a pre-college access program jointly hosted by Santa Fe College and the University of Florida in the United States, in collaboration with Urdaneta City University in the Philippines. The STEMTank program, known for its innovative, open-ended engineering design projects, sought to address the underrepresentation of intercultural competency in STEM majors, particularly engineering.

The VE introduced into STEMTank focused on a shared engineering challenge: designing protective structures resilient to tropical cyclones, a common threat in both regions. The VE involved collaborative design efforts between United States and Filipino high school students that fostered cultural exchange and global awareness. The program's impact on participants' cultural competency was evaluated through pre- / post-surveys, revealing statistically significant improvements in specific areas, suggesting that STEMTank positively influenced participants' understanding of different cultures, knowledge of cross-cultural communication etiquette, and appreciation for diverse perspectives.

The study emphasizes the importance of addressing the intercultural competency gap in STEM education and provides insights into effective approaches for integrating VE into pre-college access programs. Anecdotal evidence highlights the program's success in fostering lasting connections, mentorship opportunities, and professional networking. The collaborative VE in STEMTank 2023 is a valuable model for enhancing multicultural and international elements in STEM pre-collegiate access programming.

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Traum, M. J., & Jones, T., & Doher, J. A., & Gurley, K., & Waisome, J. A. M., & Provost, A. L. (2024, March), Virtual Exchange Embedded in a STEM Summer Camp Improved United States High School Students' Awareness of Filipino Culture Paper presented at 2024 South East Section Meeting, Marietta, Georgia. 10.18260/1-2--45582