elon u - using pbs' design squad - open 2011
TRANSCRIPT
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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 [email protected]
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
Senay PurzerAssistant Professor of Engineering Education
Sirena Hargrove-LeakAssistant Professor of Engineering
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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