Work-In-Progress (WIP): Exploring STEM Undergraduate Research Skills Development in Interdisciplinary Projects
- Conference
- Location
-
Portland, Oregon
- Publication Date
-
June 23, 2024
- Start Date
-
June 23, 2024
- End Date
-
July 12, 2024
- Conference Session
-
Multidisciplinary Engineering Division (MULTI) Technical Session 8
- Tagged Division
-
Multidisciplinary Engineering Division (MULTI)
- Tagged Topic
-
Diversity
- Permanent URL
-
https://peer.asee.org/48526
Paper Authors
Abdulrahman Alsharif Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Abdulrahman Alsharif is a research assistant for the Engineering Education Department and a PhD candidate at Virginia Tech.
David Gray
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
orcid.org/0000-0003-0159-9150
Dr. Gray receieved his B.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Virginia Tech in 2000. He then earned a M.S. and a Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering from Virginia Tech in 2002 and 2010, respectively. Much of his graduate education focus
David B Knight
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
orcid.org/0000-0003-4576-2490
David Knight is a Professor in the Department of Engineering Education at Virginia Tech and also serves as Special Assistant to the Dean for Strategic Plan Implementation in the College of Engineering. His research tends to be at the macro-scale, focused on a systems-level perspective of how engineering education can become more effective, efficient, and inclusive, and considers the intersection between policy and organizational contexts. Knight currently serves as the co-Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Engineering Education.
Isil Anakok Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Ms.Anakok is Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Engineering Education at Virginia Tech. She has a Ms. degree in Mechanical Engineering at Virginia Tech, and Bs. in Mechatronics Engineering from Kocaeli University, Turkey.
Abstract
In this work-in-progress paper, we examine the skill development of students from a variety of disciplines in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) following their extended involvement in an interdisciplinary undergraduate research experience. Undergraduate research in STEM is an important step in student learning and has been shown to help students prepare for further studies and jobs. There are many forms of undergraduate research experiences, but a common method is for a student to work closely with a teacher in research. Students often find these hands-on experiences very useful and learn to work in teams, manage projects, and communication skills. In the scope of this work-in-progress study, our program, originally rooted in engineering, now draws one-quarter of its students from departments outside the College of Engineering. The program objective is to offer students early in their programs hands-on project experiences and enhance their collaboration skills across diverse disciplines and projects. Our study centers on an innovative, faculty-led interdisciplinary undergraduate research program. We interviewed 10 participants, evenly split by gender, of whom four have transitioned to the workforce and describe what they gained from the experience. The findings offer insights into student skill development and provide perspectives on the benefits of the experience from recent alumni who have transitioned to the workforce after participating in the undergraduate research experience.
Alsharif, A., & Gray, D., & Knight, D. B., & Anakok, I. (2024, June), Work-In-Progress (WIP): Exploring STEM Undergraduate Research Skills Development in Interdisciplinary Projects Paper presented at 2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Portland, Oregon. https://peer.asee.org/48526
ASEE holds the copyright on this document. It may be read by the public free of charge. Authors may archive their work on personal websites or in institutional repositories with the following citation: © 2024 American Society for Engineering Education. Other scholars may excerpt or quote from these materials with the same citation. When excerpting or quoting from Conference Proceedings, authors should, in addition to noting the ASEE copyright, list all the original authors and their institutions and name the host city of the conference. - Last updated April 1, 2015