Bridging the Gap: An Innovative Approach to Education Renewal in Microelectronics

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Saturday 1:30 pm Four Seasons Ballroom 4
  In Roundtable Session: Evaluation and Learning in STEM Education  and Beyond (Table 5)

Abstract

The external evaluation of a microelectronics workforce development project is a collaborative effort with a single team working across two universities through the STEM Program Evaluation Lab. This mixed-methods study examines how a well-funded program with integrated approaches can approach STEM education while promoting fairness and belonging. Amidst societal shifts and educational challenges, the evaluation of this program reflects on effective practices for developing a skilled, varied, and ready workforce. This case study contributes to the ongoing discourse on educational renewal, advocating for responsive educational strategies and evaluation that align with contemporary needs. We provide implications of this work for engineering educators and program evaluators.

Authors

• Ashley Coughlin, Arizona State University

• Prince Kwarase, Arizona State University

• Oluchi N Anyaibe, University of North Carolina - Greensboro

• Courtney Stone, Arizona State University

• Brianna Hooks Singletary, EvaluATE

• Tyler Clark, University of North Carolina - Greensboro

• Onyinyechukwu Onu Onwuka, University of North Carolina - Greensboro

• Janet Oluwafunmilola Arogundade, University of North Carolina - Greensboro

• Tiffany Lee Smith Tovey, University of North Carolina - Greensboro

• Ayesha Boyce, Arizona State University

• Hannah Johnson, University of North Carolina - Greensboro

• Nikki Cardon, STEM Program Evaluation Lab