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Popular Stem Related Career Choices For Middle School Students, Damilola B. Ayokanmi, Paul Asunda Jan 2024

Popular Stem Related Career Choices For Middle School Students, Damilola B. Ayokanmi, Paul Asunda

Indiana STEM Education Conference

In order to build and sustain student interest in STEM disciplines, it is important to first ascertain the existing trends in their career choices including factors influencing them. Middle school is a pivotal time for both boys and girls as they start forming identities and career choices and can begin to select both elective courses and extra-curricular activities, based on interests (Webb & Rosson, 2013), and yet, these early years are given low priority in integrated STEM education discussions. This study was guided by the following research question, “What are the popular career choices selected by middle school students …


Integrated Virtual Reality For A Motivating And Effectual Language-Learning Experience, Spencer L. Galvan, Amy Hardy, Jo Dee Duncan-Mosier Jan 2024

Integrated Virtual Reality For A Motivating And Effectual Language-Learning Experience, Spencer L. Galvan, Amy Hardy, Jo Dee Duncan-Mosier

Indiana STEM Education Conference

The increased globalization of STEM fields and the resulting needed multilingualism provide ample reason to infuse language classrooms with responsive and immersive technologies. Furthermore, technology has proven to be a powerful resource to motivate students, regardless of the field. Early results show that the use of immersive technology positively affects both motivation and retention, and that students desire these types of technology and resources in more of their courses.


Proceedings Of The Ninth Annual Indiana Stem Education Conference: Resourcing Stem Education, William S. Walker Iii, Lynn A. Bryan, S. Selcen Guzey Jan 2024

Proceedings Of The Ninth Annual Indiana Stem Education Conference: Resourcing Stem Education, William S. Walker Iii, Lynn A. Bryan, S. Selcen Guzey

Indiana STEM Education Conference

The Proceedings of the Ninth Annual Indiana STEM Education Conference are edited by the Center for Advancing the Teaching and Learning of STEM (CATALYST, https://www.education.purdue.edu/catalyst/) at Purdue University. The theme for the 2024 conference is Resourcing STEM Education. This year’s Indiana STEM Education Conference provides opportunities to learn about effective STEM education strategies, curriculum, and resources to engage students in integrated STEM learning opportunities and address the recently updated Indiana Academic Standards for Science and Computer Science, Indiana Academic Standards for Mathematics, and Indiana Academic Standards for Integrated STEM (https://www.in.gov/doe/students/indiana-academic-standards/).


The Impact Of Geospatial Contexts And Out-Of-School Experiences On Students' Stem Identity Formation, Hillary Ongoyo Omoze, Abigail Erskine, Asenath Odondi Jan 2024

The Impact Of Geospatial Contexts And Out-Of-School Experiences On Students' Stem Identity Formation, Hillary Ongoyo Omoze, Abigail Erskine, Asenath Odondi

Indiana STEM Education Conference

STEM teaching faces challenges in varied geospatial contexts (Mulvey et al., 2023), where place and space factors play a significant role. This research brief explores the influence of place and space in shaping students' STEM identities throughout their educational journey, with a specific emphasis on the role of out-of-school experiences in fostering student learning and interest in STEM careers, particularly among middle school students.


The Future Of Future City: A Stem Program, Jeffrey A. Nowak, Shelby Werling Jan 2024

The Future Of Future City: A Stem Program, Jeffrey A. Nowak, Shelby Werling

Indiana STEM Education Conference

The idea of integrating science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) is still an enigma for many educators (Dare et al, 2021). Recent academic standards favor curricula that interweave the principles of integrated STEM into all content areas. Finding a “one size fits all” curriculum is challenging, perhaps even impossible. Future City is a national program that specializes in hands-on cross-curricular STEM education. Students work collaboratively using an engineering and design process to showcase their solutions to citywide sustainability issues. This research brief examines how educators can utilize the Future City program as the cornerstone of their STEM curriculum.


Implementing Integrated Stem Forensic And Soil Sciences Lab Activities To Promote Interest In Stem Careers, Mariah K. Stollar Awan, Caroline J. Rakowski Jan 2024

Implementing Integrated Stem Forensic And Soil Sciences Lab Activities To Promote Interest In Stem Careers, Mariah K. Stollar Awan, Caroline J. Rakowski

Indiana STEM Education Conference

We implemented forensic and soil science integrated STEM lab activities with 11 middle school youth at a 4-H day camp at Purdue University. STEM perceived knowledge increased overall for participants. However, the pre- and post-assessments did not show a statistically significant difference. More students also indicated STEM career interest after participating. Because this study was exploratory and had a small sample size, more research on these integrated STEM lab activities should be conducted with larger samples.


Developing Sustainability Related Attitudes And 21st Century Skills Through Informal Learning Opportunities, Shamila Janakiraman Jan 2023

Developing Sustainability Related Attitudes And 21st Century Skills Through Informal Learning Opportunities, Shamila Janakiraman

Indiana STEM Education Conference

Informal learning environments, like libraries and museums, are known to improve student achievement and motivation (Bartels 2001). A meta-analysis reports on the strong positive effects of after-school programs on feelings and attitudes and school performance (Durlak et al, 2007). When working on after-school programs, middle and high school students may develop skills like communication, collaboration, creativity, critical thinking, information literacy, and digital literacy. Such a program was offered by a 501c(3) organization as an informal learning opportunity. As part of this program, high school student volunteers living in the United States (US) designed and delivered learning experiences for elementary and …


Growing In Stem: Hands-On Education Via Tower Gardening, Jeffrey A. Nowak, Shelby Johnston-Werling Jan 2023

Growing In Stem: Hands-On Education Via Tower Gardening, Jeffrey A. Nowak, Shelby Johnston-Werling

Indiana STEM Education Conference

Sole use of a textbook as the primary source of learning in the middle school setting has been linked to potentially limit students’ conceptual understanding of complex content (Driscoll et al., 1994), while the positive impact of hands-on learning has been well documented (Ekwueme et al., 2015; Satterthwait, 2010). Ideally, when a textbook is used in conjunction with content applied in a hands-on manner, student engagement and understanding of standards-based content are increased. In a grant funded collaboration between the Northeast Indiana STEM Education Resource Center housed at Purdue University Fort Wayne and an East Allen Community Schools middle school …


Teachers' Instructional Strategies In Integrated Stem Education, Yousef Alrashdi, Paul A. Asunda Jan 2023

Teachers' Instructional Strategies In Integrated Stem Education, Yousef Alrashdi, Paul A. Asunda

Indiana STEM Education Conference

Integrated Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (iSTEM) education has been regarded as a model that provides students with skills necessary for future careers and enhances the economy of nations. Although there is a considerable body of research on the effective educational approaches in iSTEM education including problem-based and project-based learning, the ways teachers implement these approaches remain ambiguous due to a paucity of consensus about how to effectively use iSTEM approaches in classrooms (Thibaut et al., 2018). Additionally, there is a need for further investigation to understand teachers’ instructional strategies and practices in iSTEM education (Bush, 2019). To fulfill this …


Integrated Stem: Impact Of Engineering Design And Computer Science In Stem Labs, Jason Morphew, Ruben Lopez, Amir Bralin, Ravishankar Chatta Subramaniam, Sanjay Rebello, Carina Rebello Jan 2023

Integrated Stem: Impact Of Engineering Design And Computer Science In Stem Labs, Jason Morphew, Ruben Lopez, Amir Bralin, Ravishankar Chatta Subramaniam, Sanjay Rebello, Carina Rebello

Indiana STEM Education Conference

By integrating physics laboratories with engineering design and computer science, students apply physics principles to ill-structured and complex problems, engage in knowledge transfer, and gain interest in STEM. The introductory physics labs at Purdue have been updated to include engineering design and computer science principles that ground physics in authentic problems. Integrated labs have been evaluated using student perception post-surveys, student course performance, interviews, and case-study observations. Preliminary results indicate that integrated physics labs promote transfer, enhanced metacognitive skills, student interest, and motivation.


Centering F.A.M.I.L.Y. In Black Girls Stem Learning, Crystal Morton, Lawren Nelson, Idaila Wilmoth Jan 2023

Centering F.A.M.I.L.Y. In Black Girls Stem Learning, Crystal Morton, Lawren Nelson, Idaila Wilmoth

Indiana STEM Education Conference

The Fostering and Maximizing Interdisciplinary Learning Year-round (F.a.M.I.L.Y) was a one-year pilot study that provided Black girls and their caregivers with an opportunity to complete collaborative, life-enriching, multidisciplinary, and socially transformative STEM experiences to explore how these learning experiences impact Black girls and their caregivers' enjoyment of STEM, interest in STEM content and careers, and understanding of STEM as a tool for personal and social change. Seven families for a total of 11 scholars and seven caregivers participated in the study. We hosted 10 online learning sessions and one end-of-year face-to-face session. …


Goals And Proceedings Information, William S. Walker Iii, Lynn A. Bryan Ph. D., S. Selcen Guzey, Elizabeth Suazo-Flores Jan 2023

Goals And Proceedings Information, William S. Walker Iii, Lynn A. Bryan Ph. D., S. Selcen Guzey, Elizabeth Suazo-Flores

Indiana STEM Education Conference

No abstract provided.


Proceedings Of The Eighth Annual Indiana Stem Education Conference: “Advancing Stem With Students”, William S. Walker Iii, Lynn A. Bryan Ph. D., S. Selcen Guzey, Elizabeth Suazo-Flores Jan 2023

Proceedings Of The Eighth Annual Indiana Stem Education Conference: “Advancing Stem With Students”, William S. Walker Iii, Lynn A. Bryan Ph. D., S. Selcen Guzey, Elizabeth Suazo-Flores

Indiana STEM Education Conference

No abstract provided.


Why Representation Matters: Using Stem Education To Promote Opportunity, Sheramie Velazquez Jan 2023

Why Representation Matters: Using Stem Education To Promote Opportunity, Sheramie Velazquez

Indiana STEM Education Conference

Research has highlighted how Black and Brown professionals continue to be underrepresented in the various science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields. The lack of exposure to diverse STEM professionals, a challenging and relevant STEM curriculum, and belief in the brilliance of Black and Brown scholars’ abilities to succeed in STEM are vast contributors to the continual diversity underrepresentation in STEM-based classes and careers. Girls STEM Institute (GSI) was founded to create a space where girls of color-who are traditionally underrepresented in STEM-can become exposed to challenging and relevant STEM curricula, which is taught by diverse educators who share similar …


Enhancing Data Science Education Throughout Indiana, Jeffrey A. Nowak, Evan M. Roberts Jan 2023

Enhancing Data Science Education Throughout Indiana, Jeffrey A. Nowak, Evan M. Roberts

Indiana STEM Education Conference

Data science is the process of analyzing authentic real-world data sets to extract meaning, glean context, and seek insight into how to improve society. Data science promises new insights, helping transform information into knowledge that can drive science and industry (Berman et al., 2018). In recent years, employer demand for employees with the visualization, mathematical, and computational programming skill sets for this expanding niche has led to the introduction of new programs and coursework at both the K-12 and collegiate level. This research brief examines one such partnership in Indiana funded by the Lilly Endowment partnering Purdue University Fort Wayne …


Teachers' Perceptions On Women In Stem: Breaking The Stereotypes, Lili Zhou, Alankrita Chhikara, Stephanie Oudghiri, Araba A. Z. Osei-Tutu, Razak Kwame Dwomoh Jan 2022

Teachers' Perceptions On Women In Stem: Breaking The Stereotypes, Lili Zhou, Alankrita Chhikara, Stephanie Oudghiri, Araba A. Z. Osei-Tutu, Razak Kwame Dwomoh

Indiana STEM Education Conference

We designed and offered a Professional Development (PD) course for K-12 in-service teachers and educators across Indiana to address critical theory on race, immigration, English Language Learners (ELLs), and gender. In this study, we investigate teachers’ perceptions on gender stereotypes in STEM from the PD course. We report findings from the analysis of participants’ responses from pre-course surveys and posed discussions during the course.


Contents, William S. Walker Iii, Lynn A. Bryan Ph. D., S. Selcen Guzey, Elizabeth Suazo-Flores Jan 2022

Contents, William S. Walker Iii, Lynn A. Bryan Ph. D., S. Selcen Guzey, Elizabeth Suazo-Flores

Indiana STEM Education Conference

No abstract provided.


Goals And Proceedings Information, Preface And Acknowledgments, William S. Walker Iii, Lynn A. Bryan Ph. D., S. Selcen Guzey, Elizabeth Suazo-Flores Jan 2022

Goals And Proceedings Information, Preface And Acknowledgments, William S. Walker Iii, Lynn A. Bryan Ph. D., S. Selcen Guzey, Elizabeth Suazo-Flores

Indiana STEM Education Conference

No abstract provided.


Steppin' Into The Future: Connecting Bipoc Youth To Stem Careers, Jessica V. Forrester, Lesa M. Covington Clarkson, Elena A. Gullickson Jan 2022

Steppin' Into The Future: Connecting Bipoc Youth To Stem Careers, Jessica V. Forrester, Lesa M. Covington Clarkson, Elena A. Gullickson

Indiana STEM Education Conference

Exposure to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) careers is essential for urban education in order to diminish deficit-based assumptions about who can succeed in STEM. Prepare2Nspire (P2N) acts as an extracurricular tutoring outlet for in-school mathematics learning as well as an opportunity for youth to become exposed to STEM careers through various methods. First, undergraduate mentutors of color represent a number of STEM academic majors. Second, P2N invites STEM professionals of color to discuss how they use various mathematics skills within their career. The purpose of introducing students of color to underrepresented college students and STEM professionals is to …


Reinventing High School: Competency-Based Model For Learning In The 21st Century, Tahir M. Khan, Denise K. Whitford, Lisa Lambert Snodgrass, Sunnie L. Watson, Lisa B. Bosman Jan 2022

Reinventing High School: Competency-Based Model For Learning In The 21st Century, Tahir M. Khan, Denise K. Whitford, Lisa Lambert Snodgrass, Sunnie L. Watson, Lisa B. Bosman

Indiana STEM Education Conference

Research shows that Black and Hispanic workers continue to be under-represented in the STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) workforce. Purdue Polytechnic High School (PPHS) was established to achieve broader academic and workforce goals. PPHS fosters a sense of community for students by fostering diversity in teachers, focusing on project-based learning, and providing students with a constructive and collaborative space to explore their passions. To support career readiness, the school personalizes student learning and focuses on enhancing student problem-solving skills through a structured group engagement program called "passion projects". The school meets the academic requirements of the state while providing …


Bridging The Gap: Connecting High School Students To Advanced Stem Education Through Online Learning Modules, Kathleen Jurecka, Stacey D. Lyle Rpls Jan 2022

Bridging The Gap: Connecting High School Students To Advanced Stem Education Through Online Learning Modules, Kathleen Jurecka, Stacey D. Lyle Rpls

Indiana STEM Education Conference

Texas A&M researchers worked in partnership with the VA to extend the memorialization of Texas A&M Aggie veterans enshrined in the Houston National Cemetery though the Aggie Legacy Project. This was accomplished using advanced technologies to create a 3D module of the cemetery, an artificial intelligence to read and record headstone content, interactive maps, and biographical tributes to Texas A&M veterans. The team also created educational content designed to introduce K 12 students to these technologies with the intent to help students explore STEM career paths early , allowing time to make informed decisions regarding future career opportunities.


K-12 Teachers' Perceptions Of Stem, Brittany Vancil, Emily Nicholson Jan 2022

K-12 Teachers' Perceptions Of Stem, Brittany Vancil, Emily Nicholson

Indiana STEM Education Conference

Integrated Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) has been a recent trend in education. We set out to understand how K-12 teachers define STEM, their comfort level with teaching STEM, perspectives on the pros and cons of STEM, and the teaching tools and platforms they use. Our research concludes with the implications for teachers, administrators, curriculum developers, and researchers, as well as helpful resources.


Engaging Elementary School Students And Their Parents In After-School Stem Activities, Yury A. Kuleshov, Anne M. Lucietto Jan 2022

Engaging Elementary School Students And Their Parents In After-School Stem Activities, Yury A. Kuleshov, Anne M. Lucietto

Indiana STEM Education Conference

The authors are implementing a program to engage elementary school students and parents in after-school STEM activities to promote technical disciplines and STEM career paths. Children from Hispanic communities are often left behind when promoting STEM among the youth. The program will be available in two languages, English and Spanish, to address the gap. The authors will conduct post-program surveys with the parents of the participating children to access participants’ perception of STEM. The results will guide future STEM activities among elementary school students in the local community and be useful for other STEM teachers, who target Hispanic and other …


Goals And Proceedings Information, William S. Walker Iii, Lynn A. Bryan, Siddika Selcen Guzey, Elizabeth Suazo-Flores Jan 2021

Goals And Proceedings Information, William S. Walker Iii, Lynn A. Bryan, Siddika Selcen Guzey, Elizabeth Suazo-Flores

Indiana STEM Education Conference

No abstract provided.


Facilitator Model For Dual Credit, Scott Thorne, Nathan Mentzer, Greg J. Strimel, David Sears Jan 2021

Facilitator Model For Dual Credit, Scott Thorne, Nathan Mentzer, Greg J. Strimel, David Sears

Indiana STEM Education Conference

Few direct dual credit options exist for high schools working with major universities. Purdue University piloted a program, ACCESSS Purdue, in the fall of 2020 using a facilitator model approach with five high school teachers. This model provided students an opportunity to earn directly transcripted college credits for a course that is a pre-requisite for all Polytechnic majors and is one of three courses necessary for a minor in design thinking. The facilitator model addresses many of the suggested changes to current dual credit models, including: ensuring credit transfer and articulation, affordability, accessibility, collaboration with the high school and college, …


Preface And Acknowledgments, William S. Walker Iii, Lynn A. Bryan, Siddika Selcen Guzey, Elizabeth Suazo-Flores Jan 2021

Preface And Acknowledgments, William S. Walker Iii, Lynn A. Bryan, Siddika Selcen Guzey, Elizabeth Suazo-Flores

Indiana STEM Education Conference

No abstract provided.


Collaboration In An Online Course Is Comparable To Collaboration In A Face-To-Face Course, Tonya M. Isabell, Nathan Mentzer Jan 2021

Collaboration In An Online Course Is Comparable To Collaboration In A Face-To-Face Course, Tonya M. Isabell, Nathan Mentzer

Indiana STEM Education Conference

Remote learning through various communication systems has been available as a teaching strategy for many years. During the COVID-19 pandemic, remote learning has become an important method of educational delivery available for K-12 and higher education as leaders follow the health and safety guidelines. However, in remote learning environments, active learning collaborative team projects are more complex. Many institutions of higher learning around the country began using a Hybrid-Flexible (HyFlex) instructional model in response to the current global pandemic where students can choose to take online or face to face sections of their course. The flexibility in the model allows …


Contents, William S. Walker Iii, Lynn A. Bryan, Siddika Selcen Guzey, Elizabeth Suazo-Flores Jan 2021

Contents, William S. Walker Iii, Lynn A. Bryan, Siddika Selcen Guzey, Elizabeth Suazo-Flores

Indiana STEM Education Conference

No abstract provided.


Peering Into The Discourse Of Industrial Design Training Through A Sustainability Lens, Norman M. Su, Haodan Tan, Eli Blevis Jan 2014

Peering Into The Discourse Of Industrial Design Training Through A Sustainability Lens, Norman M. Su, Haodan Tan, Eli Blevis

Design Thinking Research Symposium

Now well established in HCI, the lens of sustainability may be applied to educational practices in industrial design and interaction design. By sustainability, we mean to include notions of mitigation of the environmental effects of climate change. In this paper, we present an analysis of student projects in a junior and senior industrial design class dataset. Drawing from discourse analysis, we examine how the industrial design classroom serves as a space to socially construct the philosophies and goals inherent in “good” design. We then examine how the lens of sustainability is implicated into the industrial design “way” as espoused by …