Engineering Design-Based Science Curriculum and Instruction

• In Event: Exploring Issues of Diversity and Underrepresentation in Engineering Education Research

Abstract

Recent educational reforms have highlighted the need for more engineers, particularly emphasizing the need for diversity. This study explores how an engineering-based science curricula affects student learning and attitudes towards engineering at the elementary and middle school levels, specifically investigating how participation in such curriculum affects students from diverse backgrounds. An analysis revealed several factors to be significant predictors of achievement for elementary and middle school students. Student gender was found to be a significant predictor of student attitudes. As a part of a multi-year investigation, we also found that frequency of teacher participation in the professional development program was positively associated with student attitudes towards engineering. Implications of these results for practice and research are examined.

Authors

• Richard Lie, Purdue University

• Selcen Guzey, Purdue University

• Tamara Jo Moore, Purdue University

• Maurina Loren Aranda, Purdue University