Summer Multicultural and Interdisciplinary Learning for Engineering (SMILE) in Transportation: Professional Development for Science Teachers of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students
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2023-09-02
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Edition:Final Report
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Abstract:This study aimed to provide an online professional development opportunity called "Summer Multicultural and Interdisciplinary Learning for Engineering (SMILE) in Transportation." Its purpose was to enhance the knowledge and skills of future elementary STEM teachers and the engineering workforce while assessing the impact on participants. With the increasing diversity among student populations, schools encounter significant challenges in delivering effective instruction on transportation, especially to minority students who speak English as a second language. SMILE in Transportation offered future science teachers and engineering students the chance to engage with cultural professionals specializing in transportation. These professionals possessed expertise in transportation and also brought their unique cultural backgrounds, allowing them to present transportation systems through the lens of their respective cultures. The involvement of interdisciplinary professionals in transportation extended beyond the college campus to include experts from the communities. The primary goal of SMILE in Transportation was to expand the knowledge of future science teachers and the engineering workforce in transportation. Additionally, it aimed to develop a distinctive teaching methodology that integrates the backgrounds of culturally and linguistically diverse students into the process of teaching and learning transportation engineering. To evaluate the program's effectiveness, data was collected through pre- and post-surveys administered to participating future teachers. These surveys measured science affinities, cultural competency (including teaching efficacy, cultural competency, personal interest, and cultural IQ), and science knowledge tests. Furthermore, a qualitative survey was conducted at the end of the project to gather feedback that would help enhance future teachers' understanding of transportation and other cultures. This data was also utilized to improve the SMILE workshop for subsequent sessions. A comparison was drawn between the survey results of future teachers and engineering students to assess the effectiveness of culturally responsive instructions for diverse student populations in classrooms. In summary, this study designed and implemented the SMILE in Transportation program to provide professional development for future STEM teachers and the engineering workforce. By incorporating cultural professionals and emphasizing culturally responsive instructions, the program aimed to enhance participants' knowledge of transportation and diverse cultures. The data collected from the quantitative surveys and qualitative feedback contributed to refining the program and improving future teaching practices in transportation education.
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