Research
Experience:
I decided to study an engineering education program for my research experience by enrolling in ENME 488. I chose to study a popular high-school program called Project Lead the Way (PLTW) to assess the affects it has on students’ self-efficacy pertaining to engineering. To determine the self-efficacy best, I used proven surveys from Assessing Women and Men in Engineering (AWE) to create my own survey. The study consisted of the students completing the survey (attached below), analyzing it, and having the students complete the survey again near the end of the quarter. The data from the initial and final survey were compared and a conclusion was found. The entire experience is estimated to have taken 160 hours.
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Getting the research started required me to adapt to unexpected obstacles. I first desired to study an additional education program that has just began to be implemented into the public schools. Due to some unforeseen circumstances and miscommunication, I had to adapt and find another program to study. I considered several programs and finally deciding on PLTW at a public school. The results of the study were….
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Program Wide Learning Objectives met:
​Integrity – Identify and be able to elaborate on and justify core beliefs and values; act consistently in accordance with those beliefs and values across contexts; regard themselves as accountable for those actions
Perspectivism – Seek out and fairly consider ethical perspectives and concepts other than own, and ensures these perspectives and concepts appropriately inform their own actions and views
Persistence – Confront difficulties resolutely and persevere in trying to manage them. Re-frame failures and mistakes as learning opportunities and does not allow them to become disabling or discouraging. Follow through on commitments.
Self-Efficacy - Self-direct, rely confidently on their own abilities and resources, but request help where necessary; constantly seek to improve and expand abilities.
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​Research Learning Objectives met:
Communication - Express ideas in an organized, clear, concise, and accurate manner; Write clearly and effectively in discipline-specific formats.
Creativity - Effectively connect multiple ideas and approaches; Demonstrate the ability to work independently and identify when input, guidance, and feedback are needed.
Practice and Process of Inquiry - Demonstrate the ability to formulate questions and hypotheses within their discipline.
Nature of Disciplinary Knowledge - Show understanding of the way practitioners think within the discipline and view the world around them
Understanding Ethical Conduct - Show understanding and respect for intellectual property rights; Predict, recognize, and weigh the risks and benefits of the project for others.
Critical Agency – Envisage futures and possibilities that differ from the systemic arrangements of the present.