The Impact of Design-Based Engineering Curricula on Student Achievement in Engineering, Science, and Mathematics

• In Event: Encouraging Careers in Engineering and Computer Science

Abstract

The importance of STEM education in the U.S. has been broadly discussed. Recent reforms have focused on the integration of STEM-related subjects as an effort to help students to make connections between classes and increase their interest in pursuing STEM-related careers. This study reports the results of engineering design-based curricula to teach engineering, science and mathematics in Grades 4 – 8 in a large scale STEM-integration curricula project. The findings show that for the first year of the study there was no treatment effect. However, positive effects were found for classrooms where quality, well-designed engineering design-based curricula implemented.

Authors

• Selcen Guzey, Purdue University

• Tamara Jo Moore, Purdue University

• Michael R. Harwell, University of Minnesota

• Mario Moreno, University of Minnesota

• Yadira Peralta, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities