Evaluation of Efficacy of an Elementary Engineering Curriculum for Student Learning of Engineering and Science

• In Event: Poster Session 11
  In Poster Session: Discipline-Based Research in Engineering Education

Abstract

The present study evaluated the efficacy of an elementary engineering curriculum intervention using the first cohort data from a randomized-controlled trial. Grounded on the principles of inquiry and project-based learning, the intervention aimed at improving student learning of engineering and related science concepts. We assessed intervention effects with intent-to-treat analyses and examined the moderating roles of student gender and race/ethnicity. The results showed that the intervention curriculum was particularly effective for improving student learning of science concepts required to understand the problems and processes of engineering. We also found that the intervention effects did not generally differ depending on student gender and race/ethnicity.

Authors

• Yoonkyung Oh, The Pennsylvania State University

• Cathy Pauline Lachapelle, Museum of Science

• Muhammad Shams, Museum of Science, Boston

• Jonathan D. Hertel, Museum of Science, Boston

• Christine M. Cunningham, Museum of Science, Boston