IDEAL Increasing Diversity in Engineering education And Labor force through Healthcare Applications Grisselle Centeno PhD Industrial and Management Systems Engineering Keywords: Healthcare Applications, Constructivist Pedagogy, Diversity NSF-funded Grant #

Why? Facts Only 18.9% of women earn engineering BS degrees and almost 40% of them do not pursue an engineering career. In contrast, over 80% of BS degrees in health professions are earned by women. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projected that during 2012–2022 healthcare, healthcare support, construction, and personal care fields are expected to account for almost one-third of all new jobs. Objectives 1.To develop constructivist learning materials, e.g. case- based and project-based, through interactions with partners residing mainly in healthcare environments. 2.Create awareness of opportunites in the healthcare- engineering field. 3.Encourage students, particularly women, to complete their engineering degree and join the workforce in the healthcare sector. 2

When? Fall 2014 Initiated interactions with Healthcare industrial partners including Tampa General Hospital, VHA, VA, HCA and USF College of Medicine. Case Study design and implementation for established courses in Prob & Stats and Facilities Design Spring 2015 New Course in Healthcare Systems Engineering Students from 3 Depts including IE, ME and Biomedical IDEAL Seminar Series 6 guest speakers Fall 2016 IDEAL Workshop 5 panelists, all engineering Alumni working in Healthcare organizations 3 hrs.- interactive event By invitation …

Where? Case Study USF (completed) Industrial Engineering USF (in progress) All Engineering major New Course on HSE USF – Open to: Chemical Engineering Civil and Environmental Engineering Electrical Engineering Industrial Engineering Mechanical Engineering Computer Science Seminar Series and Workshops USF – Invited: All Engineering and Computer Science majors Dissemination to other FL institutions and out-of-state via website

What? Theory of change “For women to participate to their full potential across all science and engineering fields, they must see a career path that allows them to reach their full intellectual potential. Much remains to be done to achieve that goal.” [NAE 2007] -- This project is based on the proposition that if students (especially women) could envision themselves applying engineering knowledge to healthcare-related problems (as their career path), they will be more motivated not only to complete their degrees but to join the engineering workforce. What has worked really well? Seminar Series has attracted over 300 students in attendance; promoted interactions between students, faculty and practitioners; and estimulated candid conversations among all participants. Real world projects has allowed students to gain confidence and expand network. Workshop provided students with strategies to help them overcome any potential challenges and struggles while in school or in their future careers.

Prognosis? Measuring Impact Collaborating with external evaluators Assessment analysis for each developed in-class and out-of-class intervention. Scale up Dissemination to external audiences in upcoming professional conferences. Expanding material for integration in other courses Challenges Administrative support to formalize adoption Insufficient results to prove long-term impact Inexperience on how to institutionalize activities