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K-12 Workforce Development Activities: Project UF-EIES-1200009-UAB TO10

File Language:
English


Details

  • Creators:
    Sisiopiku, Virginia P. ORCID ICON IMG
  • Corporate Creators:
    University of Alabama. Dept. of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering
  • Corporate Contributors:
  • Subject/TRT Terms:
  • Resource Type:
    Research Paper
  • Geographical Coverage:
    South Atlantic States
  • Corporate Publisher:
    Southeastern Transportation Research, Innovation, Development and Education Center (STRIDE)
  • Abstract:
    The number of programs exposing children to engineering profession is growing but the majority of students still do not have sufficient exposure [Schunn, 2009]. Earlier research has established that high quality workshops and programs offered at K-12 can effectively promote engineering education [Cunningham, 2009] and have positive implications for the future of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education [Katehi et al., 2009]. Engineering education for K-12 students is greatly beneficial toward improving student learning and achievement in science and mathematics, increasing awareness of engineering and the work of engineers, boosting youth interest in pursuing engineering as a career, and increase the technological literacy of all students [National Academy of Engineering and National Research Council, 2009]. The choice of becoming a transportation engineer requires an understanding of what engineering is and what transportation engineers do. A 2004 article published in the ITE Journal states: “The next generation of transportation professionals is sitting in our classrooms today. It is not too early to consider what will affect their choices and how we need to support them in their development.” [Tool and Martin, 2004]. Taking the necessary steps to promote transportation engineering careers at an early age is a priority for the US DOT, state DOTs, and the ITE. Answering this call, the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), in collaboration with the UAB Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) student chapter and the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), organized several events aiming at introducing transportation engineering to K-12 students in the state of Alabama. Providing career education through workshops and exposing the youth to transportation engineering in a fun and enjoyable way establishes positive associations and establishes student views about the discipline. This report summarizes UAB K-12 workforce development initiatives sponsored by STRIDE and the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) that exposed young students in Alabama to transportation engineering and encouraged them to consider STEM related careers. The first initiative was the UAB Kids in Engineering Day, a Family Engineering event targeting 4th, 5th, and 6th graders in the Birmingham area. The half day-long event introduced student participants to engineering disciplines through presentations, and fun hands-on activities. The second initiative was the UAB Girls in Science and Engineering Day, an all-female event promoting STEM careers with hands-on workshops focusing on engineering and the sciences. The event aimed at helping girls to appreciate the many exciting opportunities that lie within the science and engineering fields and fighting stereotypes often associated with the low participation of women in engineering occupations.
  • Format:
    PDF
  • Funding:
    STRIDE Project UF-EIES-1200009-UAB TO10
  • Collection(s):
  • Main Document Checksum:
    urn:sha-512:6d30692d4300d05ee98f20e77aa438e60b6e2fa083247c9575c61301bacc1c9139e9fa7e5cb5eff0dfad515b84ec69c26fc270da894ac2d4382159b0a3f194ca
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  • File Type:
    Filetype[PDF - 712.92 KB ]
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