elon u - using pbs' design squad - open 2011

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Using PBS’ Design Squad in Undergraduate Engineering Courses

Senay Purzer Sirena Hargrove-Leak Margot Sigur

Purdue University Elon University WGBH Boston

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36 episodes 1 host 8 contestants

Two teams One challenge

One winner $10,000 scholarship

DESIGN SQUAD

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• New hosts: Judy

and Adam

• One kid client

• New web site

Making dreams come true through engineering

DESIGN SQUAD NATION

Senay PurzerAssistant ProfessorSchool of Engineering Education

Methods for Evaluating Roles & Interactions in Teams

Complementary instructional kit designed to support collaborative learning and team problem solving skills.

Developed based on research and learning theories Bandura’s social cognitive learning theory Vygotsky’s social constructivist learning theory

Research with engineering teams (discourse analysis)

Using the “Peanut butter maker for Haiti’ handout, reflect on the strengths and weaknesses of the blue and the red teams.

Look at both the problem solving processes and the team interactions.

Brainstorm (1:39 min) Design (4:40 min) Build (1:41 min) Test (9:08 min)

Senay Purzerspurzer@purdue.edu

Access the MERIT Kithttp://web.ics.purdue.edu/~spurzer/

http://Engineeringpathways.com

How Design Squad is used at Elon University

Sirena Hargrove-Leak, PhDAssistant ProfessorDual Degree Engineering Program

Motivation

Engineering continues to face challengesnumerous societal needssignificant number of professionals at or

near retirementrecruitmentretentioneducational needs

Implementation

Course for first year students Taught Fall and Spring semesters

traditional design project in Fallservice-learning project in Spring

Partnered with AIG program Used PBS Design Squad Challenges

Why is this good for first year engineering students?

More engaged

“I thought it was going to be dumb at first, but when we were sitting in class taking notes, I was wishing that we were at the school teaching the kids.”

“It was a lot [of] fun to be able to do this, and I would definitely recommend doing this with your future engineering students!”

Why is this good for first year engineering students?

More engaged Deepened disciplinary knowledge

“This project really showed me that I need to study up on my physics fundamentals; I was struggling trying to explain some of the physics ideas to the students in my group.”

Why is this good for first year engineering students?

More engaged Deepened disciplinary knowledge Improved interest in civic engagement

“I think that from this experience I realized what you as teachers have tried to emphasize. That is that as an engineer we serve the public, and it is important to continue experiences like this and be involved in the community that I may eventually serve.”

Why is this good for first year engineering students?

More engaged Deepened disciplinary knowledge Improved interest in civic engagement Improved communication skills

“It taught me how to present scientific information in a way that a non-science person would be able to understand.”

“…I feel as if I got a lot better at compiling and presenting information.”

Why is this good for first year engineering students?

More engaged Deepened disciplinary knowledge Improved interest in civic engagement Improved communication skills Enhanced team work skills

“I hope I will be better able to work with all types of people when I do end up entering the work place. More along the same line I honed my skills when it came to teamwork and even leadership.”

Why is this good for first year engineering students?

More engaged Deepened disciplinary knowledge Improved interest in civic engagement Improved communication skills Enhanced team work skills Personal and professional growth

“The main thing I learned was to be more assertive whenever I am leading something.”

“We were forced into roles that may have been uncomfortable or unusual for us, and we had to react and adapt in order to do what we needed to do.”

Why is this good for the elementary students?

Increased awareness of engineering

Half of the parents expected their child to

learn more about the engineering profession learn about the engineering disciplines gain an appreciation for solving problems more

efficiently learn fundamental engineering concepts

All of those respondents said their expectations were met or exceeded

Why is this good for the elementary students?

Increased awareness of engineering Developed ability to engage in

engineering design

When asked what useful skills their child developed or strengthened, parents said:

“Problem solving and ‘re-thinking’ or trial and error problem solving.”

“The hands-on building projects were great and helped encourage the kids to form a plan before

starting to build. ”

Why is this good for the elementary students?

Increased awareness of engineering Developed ability to engage in

engineering design Potential improvement in science and

mathematics

“She has begun to get a better grade in science!”

“My child‘s understanding of basic physical properties dramatically increased.”

Why is this good for the elementary students?

Increased awareness of engineering Developed ability to engage in

engineering design Potential improvement in science and

mathematics Potential increased interest in

engineering

More long range study needed, but …

one child told his mentor that he had inspired him to become an engineer.

Why is this good for the elementary students?

Increased awareness of engineering Developed ability to engage in

engineering design Potential improvement in science and

mathematics Potential increased interest in

engineering Academic challenge

“Our ‘smarter’ children are often bored in class because they have grasped materials, but all federal aid ($) and recognition goes to lower performing students ‘grasping materials.’ So teachers have to stop and repeat and repeat and repeat. This has [the] result of smart, motivated child[ren] BORED, and not challenged. This program was a challenge, new level of thinking, and FUN!”

Acknowledgements

Elon University Kernodle Center for Service-Learning and Frueauff Foundation

Marvin B. Smith ElementaryMrs. Wendy Gooch, PrincipalMrs. Sandra Smith, AIG Specialist

The students

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RESOURCES

• 35 + activities

• Available online

• Activity sheets in Spanish

• Materials source lists

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•40+ animations•46 episodes•24 profiles•35 Challenges

ONLINE RESOURCES

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PARENTS, EDUCATORS & ENGINEERS

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Major funding is provided by the National Science Foundation. Series funding is provided by the National Aeronautics Space Administration (NASA), Northrop Grumman Foundation, and the Lemelson Foundation. Additional funding is provided by Noyce Foundation, United Engineering Foundation (ASCE, ASME, AIChE, IEEE, AIME), Motorola Foundation, and the IEEE.

Design Squad is produced by WGBH Boston.

© 2010 WGBH Educational Foundation. All rights reserved. All third party trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Used with permission.

MAJOR FUNDING FOR DESIGN SQUAD NATION

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KEEP IN TOUCH!

Margot SigurOutreach Coordinator, Design Squad Nation

margot_sigur@wgbh.org

Senay PurzerAssistant Professor of Engineering Education

spurzer@purdue.edu

Sirena Hargrove-LeakAssistant Professor of Engineering

sleak@elon.edu

pbs.org/designsquad

Design Squad Helps Kids Understand Engineering

Students exposed to Design Squad demonstrated a better understanding …

• what engineering is• that engineering involves having a great imagination• of the types of projects that engineers work on

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Design Squad Encourages Positive Attitudes Toward Engineering

Students exposed to Design Squad…

• demonstrated more positive attitudes towards engineering,• were less likely to believe the stereotype that “engineering is

boring”

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Profiles

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Animations

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INTRODUCE A GIRL TO ENGINEERING