Investigation of high school pathways into engineering (work in progress) Conference

Zoltowski, CB, Exter, M, Cardella, ME et al. (2014). Investigation of high school pathways into engineering (work in progress) .

cited authors

  • Zoltowski, CB; Exter, M; Cardella, ME; Shuba, TP; Yu, JH; Hart, M; Oakes, WC

abstract

  • A significant effort has aimed at increasing the number and diversity of students in pathways to engineering careers. This paper describes an effort to address these goals by adapting EPICS, a nationally recognized project-based, service-learning university program, to the high school and middle school environments. Preliminary data from 60 high schools in 11 states with over 2200 students indicates that this program is having an impact on students' interest in and their views of engineering. However, students' academic and career choices are influenced by a number of factors. Building on previous studies which have investigated pathways to and through engineering, this study uses Social Cognitive Career Theory to explore students' experiences in the program, and how these experiences impact pathways into engineering. This work-inprogress paper describes the development and piloting of a survey instrument, which can be given to students before and after they participate in the program. © American Society for Engineering Education, 2014.

publication date

  • January 1, 2014