Department of Engineering Fundamentals – J.B. Speed School of Engineering – University of...
If you can't read please download the document
Department of Engineering Fundamentals – J.B. Speed School of Engineering – University of Louisville Partnerships for Creating STEM Pipelines Dr. Patricia
Department of Engineering Fundamentals J.B. Speed School of
Engineering University of Louisville Partnerships for Creating STEM
Pipelines Dr. Patricia Ralston, Chair and Gary Rivoli, Outreach
Director Department of Engineering Fundamentals and Dr. M. R.
Wilhelm, Dean Emeritus and Professor Industrial Engineering
University of Louisville Kentucky Engagement Conference Western
Kentucky University November 8, 2012
Slide 2
Department of Engineering Fundamentals J.B. Speed School of
Engineering University of Louisville Who are the STEM Partners?
Primary Partner: Speed School Established in 2007, the Engineering
Fundamentals Department at J.B. Speed School of Engineering adopted
as a specific mission to develop a K-12 Outreach Program. Jefferson
County Public School System ( JCPS) and now other school systems
are partners. Boston Museum of Science Louisville Science Center
Local industry Various supporting organizations such as 4-H, ASME,
Girls STEM collaborative network.
Slide 3
Department of Engineering Fundamentals J.B. Speed School of
Engineering University of Louisville K-12 Outreach Desired
long-term outcomes: 1) Increase number of students interested in
and capable of studying STEM fields, with an emphasis on
engineering 2) Improve understanding of STEM careers 3) Improve
preparation for STEM study 4) Improve retention of engineering
students (those most interested persist)
Slide 4
Department of Engineering Fundamentals J.B. Speed School of
Engineering University of Louisville Pipeline and Pipelines
Slide 5
Department of Engineering Fundamentals J.B. Speed School of
Engineering University of Louisville Effective Outreach Programs
Recent research: types of outreach vs. engineering self-efficacy
(belief they can succeed in engineering) Need immediate feedback
Need a do or hands-on component Promote self-learning Real-life
application (problem-based) Long-term and challenging
Slide 6
Department of Engineering Fundamentals J.B. Speed School of
Engineering University of Louisville Programs and Pipelines
Engineering is Elementary (EiE) In the Middle of Engineering (IME)
Project Lead the Way (PLTW) Select schools to create a pipeline to
pull students into engineering in elementary school mentor them
through middle school and on to high school. Develop Sustain
Replicate
Slide 7
Department of Engineering Fundamentals J.B. Speed School of
Engineering University of Louisville Engineering is Elementary
(EiE) Created by the Boston Museum of Science Hands-on Integrates
engineering and technology concepts with elementary science topics
Used by over 9000 teachers and 480,000 students nationwide.
Integrated into elementary science class or as an enrichment
period
Slide 8
Department of Engineering Fundamentals J.B. Speed School of
Engineering University of Louisville In the Middle of Engineering
(IME ) Targeted Middle schools that are fed by elementary schools
with an EIE program Developed by Speed School Outreach Coordinator
Coordinate with science teachers Weekly enrichment program adjusted
to fit the needs of individual schools Use hands on kits from
Slinky Science Our Amazing Bridges, The Electro Lab, All About
Gears, Solar Energy
Slide 9
Department of Engineering Fundamentals J.B. Speed School of
Engineering University of Louisville
Slide 10
Program Participation ProgramTotal Students Participating
Number of Female Students Number of Male Students Number of
Minority Students 2008-2009 School Year (EiE) 1575410344 (IME)
22493131121 2009-2010 School Year (EiE) 1867810870 (IME) 2389514386
2010-2011 School Year (EiE) 25011213885 (IME) 1917411740 2011-Fall
Programs (EiE) 1852 873979891 (IME) 228 10212677
Slide 11
Department of Engineering Fundamentals J.B. Speed School of
Engineering University of Louisville Students in the Pipeline In
Fall 2009, there were approximately 120 students in the PLTW
program that was the primary pipeline high school. The number
increased to 220 students in fall 2011, and more than 280 students
enrolled for fall 2012, a 233 percent increase over this period.
The PLTW Program Director attributes this growth to the partnership
with Speed School and the resulting pipeline coupled with a
principal who firmly believed in the PLTW program.
Slide 12
Department of Engineering Fundamentals J.B. Speed School of
Engineering University of Louisville Students in the Pipeline One
elementary school (that has all students in K-5 using the EiE
curriculum for the past three years) has seen math and science
scores on the Kentucky Core Content Test improve 4 percent and 13.4
percent respectively over the past two years. Data for this past
year is not yet available. These gains are based on an increase in
the percent of students that score proficient or distinguished.
They attribute these increases to the EiE curriculum use in science
classes and the support Speeds Outreach Program.
Slide 13
Department of Engineering Fundamentals J.B. Speed School of
Engineering University of Louisville Students in the Pipeline This
same elementary school (one with significant numbers of minority
and economically disadvantaged students) has seen an increase in
students participating in the technology magnet program offered at
the school. In two years, the enrollment increased from 30 students
to 100 students, a 333 percent increase. The principal attributes
this increase directly to Speeds Outreach Program. Another
impressive and quantifiable impact noted by the principal is that
for the first time, students from this elementary school applied
for admission to the competitive math and science magnet middle
school; all five student applicants were accepted.
Slide 14
Department of Engineering Fundamentals J.B. Speed School of
Engineering University of Louisville Challenges Program Assessment
how to define, measure, and track outcomes of overall program
Assessment of students once in college Moving existing programs and
pipeline to a self-sustaining model Identifying new and on-going
funding sources Extending programming to replicate pipelines in
other areas
Slide 15
Department of Engineering Fundamentals J.B. Speed School of
Engineering University of Louisville Conclusion and Future
Direction Program participation increases and requests for pipeline
replication is encouraging. Assessment data from EiE program
indicates concrete gains in science knowledge. Continued emphasis
on teacher training (with BMOS) is of paramount importance.
Pipeline concept elementary middle- high school has high
potential.