Engaging Students With Engineering: Increasing Access and Opportunity for All Learners

• In Event: Poster Session 7
  In Poster Session: Curricular and Programmatic Efforts in Gifted Education

Abstract

A summer camp provided elementary students (Grades 3–6) inexpensive (or free) summer enrichment experiences in engineering. Typically, students from low-income and minority families are underserved in summer academic programs leading to gaps in science achievement. By providing the means for high potential students from underserved populations (e.g., low-income & minority) to attend summer programs, the excellence gap can be reduced. Through a pre-post design, researchers investigated the impact of the camp on students’ interest and attitudes about engineering and their knowledge of engineering practices and their application of the engineering design processes. Despite a limited number of contact hours, students made significant gains in their engineering interests and attitudes and on their identification and application of the engineering design process.

Authors

• Deborah D. Dailey, University of Central Arkansas

• Jason Trumble, University of Central Arkansas

• Alicia Cotabish, University of Central Arkansas

• Michelle Buchanan, University of Central Arkansas

• Nykela Jackson, University of Central Arkansas