Who Wants to Be an Engineer? Monica F. Cox, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Engineering Education Purdue University ENGINEER

Questions What are the characteristics of a typical engineer? What is engineering?

Presentation Overview Engineering Defined Science & Engineering Statistics Why focus on engineering in K-12 classrooms? –Initiatives, New Departments, standards, programs

What Do These People Have in Common? Engineers are diverse relative to –Gender –Ethnicity –Age –Occupational Choice –Personality Type –Area of Specialization –Contribution to Society They are all engineers!

What is Engineering? Engineering is the profession in which a knowledge of the mathematical and natural sciences, gained by study, experience, and practice, is applied with judgment to develop ways to utilize, economically, the materials and forces of nature for the benefit of mankind. (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology)

What Do Engineers Do? Design structures for earthquake resistance (Civil) Devise new ways of harvesting crops and flowers (Agricultural) Develop cost-effective processes for recovering raw materials from the ocean or outer space (Chemical) Build and test prototype space shuttles and artificial organs (Mechanical) Devise and build equipment like cellular phones or hand-held personal organizers (Electrical) Design workstations, equipment, or facilities that are ergonomically correct (Industrial) and much more!

U.S. Engineering Trends

Engineering Student Diversity Source: Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities in Science and Engineering: 2004 (NSF )

S&E doctorates awarded, by country/region: Most recent year

Eighth Grade Science Proficiency (2000) Source: National Science Foundation, Division of Science Resources Statistics. Science and Engineering Indicators Arlington, VA (NSB 06-01) [February 2006] *States in alphabetical order, not data order. Key Findings Nationwide percentage of 8 th grade public school students who performed at or above the proficient level in science was 30% and was slightly higher in the 8 th grade than in the 4 th grade (28%). Proportion of 8 th graders who reached the proficient achievement level was 41% for whites, 7% for blacks, 12% for Hispanics, 37% for Asians/Pacific Islanders, and 14% for American Indians/Alaska Natives. Sex differences in science proficiency were larger in the 8 th grade (9%) than in the 4 th grade ( 7%).

Given these trends, what might be done to increase students’ exposure to engineering? What are some initiatives that are in place to positively influence engineering trends? What can we do to improve STEM academic achievement at the K-12 level?

Public Exposure to Careers Since television is the main source of information about science and technology according to NSF findings, where’s the primetime show about engineering? Forensics Medicine Law Mathematics

Engineering Initiatives Pre-College Science & Engineering Recruitment Programs – On-Campus Retention Programs –Tutorial Services, Women in Engineering Program, Minority Engineering Program Academic Departments –Engineering Education Degree Programs at Purdue University, Virginia Tech, Tufts University, Utah State, Carnegie Mellon

Purdue University Department of Engineering Education Department of Engineering Education (ENE) established in April 2004 Graduate degree programs in Engineering Education approved by Indiana Commission of Higher Education in February 2005 First ENE Graduate Cohort Admitted in Fall 2005 –10 new PhD students, 1 Post-Baccalaureate –Women: 50%; Minority: 33% –International Representation: Taiwan, Indian, Trinidad, Singapore, & Puerto Rico –Engineering Disciplines: ECE (4), Civil (2), IE (2), ME (2), IDE (1)

Access, Access, Access Proactively conduct Internet searches to learn about new research and resources Expose students, parents, and administrators to science and engineering opportunities at area colleges and universities Form university contacts in your field of study Pursue professional development opportunities that give you additional insight about ways to introduce students to engineering Plan field trips to university engineering labs and facilities

Contact Information Monica F. Cox, Ph.D. 400 Centennial Mall Drive, ENAD 220 West Lafayette, IN Office: (765)