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Session 2793

Who Wants to Be an Engineer?

David L. Silverstein University of Kentucky

Abstract

One of the roles of engineering faculty is to make engineering accessible and exciting to young people. At the University of Kentucky Extended Campus Program at Paducah, we have developed a simple way to reach young people from elementary through high school (and their parents). A simple trivia game modeled after a popular television show has been used for several years to rave reviews from participants. What some of the participants see as a mere game is actually a means of demonstrating the relevance of their science and math education to future careers. The prizes they earn by correctly answering questions give them a taste of the material rewards that may be earned though an engineering career. Above all, this activity ensures that participants have a good time as they are exposed to engineering concepts a direct and entertaining way. The student and faculty involvement in the development of the software used in this outreach, the forums in which it has been used, and the responses of participants are described. Applications of the software in chemical engineering courses are considered. Different modes of question writing are also discussed, including application of the lower levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy.

I. Introduction

One of the roles of engineering educators is to make engineering accessible and exciting to young people. At the University of Kentucky, College of Engineering Extended Campus Program at Paducah, we have found a simple way to reach young people and their parents from elementary through high school and beyond. A simple trivia game modeled after the popular television show “Who Wants to be a Millionaire?” has been adapted for use in a classroom setting. The activity, “Who Wants to be an Engineer?”, had its debut at the first Engineer’s Day Open House in Paducah on February 26, 2000, at the campus of the UK program in Paducah (UKP). A steady stream of enthusiastic contestants and a full house of spectators greeted the activity. Repeat offerings at subsequent open houses have been comparably well received. The program has also been used in recruiting activities both in Paducah and college-wide.

II. Origin

The University of Kentucky College of Engineering Extended Campus Programs at Paducah is a six year-old engineering program offering four-year B.S. degrees in Chemical and Mechanical Engineering. The college developed the program in response to the needs of western Kentucky residents and industry for a regional source of engineering education. Both degree programs are

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Silverstein, D. (2003, June), Who Wants To Be An Engineer? Paper presented at 2003 Annual Conference, Nashville, Tennessee. 10.18260/1-2--11528