"Makes Me Wanna Go Out and Help People": Altruistic Engineering and African American Youth Engagement

• In Event: Teaching and Learning: Engineering

Abstract

Researchers theorize that identification with a career field is achieved when there is alignment between student values and their perceptions of the values a career field meets. Stereotypically, engineering is seen as affording only the pursuit of status values, such as high pay, but that the reality is that engineering is a collaborative enterprise that solves important social challenges. We developed a summer camp experience where students engaged in in hands-on learning around engineering as a pro-social endeavor. Interviews and surveys allowed us to assess the impact of the camp on students self-efficacy and interest for engineering. We also explored their definitions of engineering and found that the camp led to meaningful changes in students’ appreciation of engineering.

Authors

• Joni M. Lakin, University of Alabama

• Margaret E. Mastrogiovanni, Dallas Independent School District

• Lindsay Norris, Auburn University

• Edward Davis, Auburn University

• Daniela Marghitu, Auburn University

• Virginia Davis, Auburn University