Engineering Commons^™

Harnessing Wastewater For Renewable Energy (2013-2), Aaron Adalja, Chalida U-Tapao

Aaron Adalja

This case study explores the options for using wastewater to produce renewable energy in the context of a public wastewater treatment plant. It provides an opportunity for students to synthesize knowledge from resource economics, engineering, environmental science, agriculture, and public policy to develop a transdisciplinary approach to a socio-environmental issue. The case is designed for upper division undergraduate courses in resource economics or environmental engineering, but several modifications are provided graduate course applications. Students assume the role of a newly hired analyst at a consulting firm in Washington, DC, that specializes in renewable energy solutions. They are charged with proposing …

Determining Graduation Rates In Engineering For Community College Transfer Students Using Data Mining, Marcia Laugerman, Diane T. Rover, Mack C. Shelley, Steven K. Mickelson

Diane Rover

This study presents a unique synthesized set of data for community college students entering the university with the intention of earning a degree in engineering. Several cohorts of longitudinal data were combined with transcript-level data from both the community college and the university to measure graduation rates in engineering. The emphasis of the study is to determine academic variables that had significant correlations with graduation in engineering, and levels of these academic variables. The article also examines the utility of data mining methods for understanding the academic variables related to achievement in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The practical purpose …

The Engineering Admissions Partnership Program: A Navigation Strategy For Community College Students Seeking A Pathway Into Engineering, Marcia R. Laugerman, Mack C. Shelley, Steven K. Mickelson, Diane T. Rover

Diane Rover

This paper presents the evaluation of a program designed to improve transfer outcomes for community college students pursuing an engineering degree. The program, the Engineering Admissions Partnership Program (E-APP), was designed to improve the navigational success of community college transfer students through connections to the university. These connections include coordinated academic advising, peer-mentoring, campus visits, and online social and professional networks. The objective of the study is to determine the efficacy of the E-APP and its interventions, which will be measured by increased participation rates and increased university retention rates for E-APP participants. Outcome data for the students are analyzed …

Work Integrated Learning In Stem In Australian Universities: Final Report: Submitted To The Office Of The Chief Scientist, Daniel Edwards, Kate Perkins, Jacob Pearce, Jennifer Hong

Kate Perkins

The Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) undertook this study for the Office of the Chief Scientist (OCS). It explores the practice and application of Work Integrated Learning (WIL) in STEM, with a particular focus on natural and physical sciences, information technology, and agriculture departments in Australian universities. The project involved a detailed ‘stocktake’ of WIL in practice in these disciplines, with collection of information by interview, survey instruments, consultation with stakeholders and literature reviews. Every university in Australia was visited as part of this project, with interviews and consultation sessions gathering insight from more than 120 academics and support …

Poll Everywhere! Even In The Classroom: An Investigation Into The Impact Of Using Polleverwhere In A Large-Lecture Classroom, Wendi M. Kappers, Stephanie L. Cutler

Wendi M. Kappers, PhD

Over the past several years, there has been a call in higher education to move from traditional lecturing to a more active classroom. However, many faculty members face multiple challenges when attempting to make a large lecture (over 100 students) an active learning environment. One way researchers have suggested engaging a large lecture is through Concept Tests and Peer Instruction, which can require additional resources to be purchased by students, such as electronic response systems or "clickers." This study will investigate the applicability of utilizing the free software PollEverywhere, which can be accessed using student cell phones (Text messages and …

Simulation To Application. The Use Of Computer Simulations To Improve Real-World Application Of Learning, Wendi M. Kappers, Stephanie L. Cutler

Wendi M. Kappers, PhD

Simulations have been used in training and education for years to aid students in gaining the skills needed to complete a task in a low risk environment. However, students can have trouble connecting the skills used in the simulated working environments to skills that are needed to be applied in the real-world environment, referred to as adaptive transfer. The simulations referred to in this study are simulated environments that mirror students kill application, not a simulation of an event that is meant to aid students in the development of concept knowledge around the demonstrated event. This study examines students' ability …

From Enrollment To Employment: A Dacum Approach To Information Systems And Information Security And Assurance Curriculum Design, Leila Halawi, Wendi M. Kappers, Aaron Glassman

Wendi M. Kappers, PhD

Issues associated with information security are numerous and diverse. Since the majority of organizational actions rely greatly on information and communication technologies, Information Systems (IS) security is now a main concern for firms, governments, institutes, and society as a whole. As a result, a plethora of graduate programs have been created, covering nearly every aspect of IS security. The authors review the current state of the IS industry presented in the literature, and identify a panel of IS experts in which to explore current job skill needs using a “Developing a Curriculum,” DACUM, process to support curriculum design for two …

Lib 3010 Spring 2017: Students Choose An Image To Represent Patent Searching, Jan Comfort

Jan Comfort