http://epics-high.ecn.purdue.edu/

“High Schools Improving Lives with Engineering Projects in Community Service-Learning”

ServeExplore

PrepareDesign

Succeed

Grow

Pamela TurnerEPICS High School Program CoordinatorPurdue University

Service – students participate in service for the underserved in a community

Academically-based – reinforces or connects with the subject material of the academic course

Reciprocity – Mutual needs, mutual learning

Reflection (Analysis, metacognition) – Students reflect (analyze) on their experience and learning

Characteristics of Service-Learning

Service vs Learningservice-LEARNING

Learning goals are primary; service outcomes are secondary

SERVICE-learning

Service outcomes are primary; learning goals are secondary

service learning

Service and learning goals are separate

SERVICE-LEARNING

Service and learning goals have equal weight; each enhances the other for all participants

EPICS programs at 19 universities 34 High schools in five states

◦ California, Indiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York

The EPICS Consortium

While interest in engineering is declining, civic engagement among teenagers is high

83% of high school seniors entering college participated in community service or service-learning◦ Female and minority students more inclined to

continue service◦ Many honors diplomas require service

Service-learning in high schools rarely connected with engineering/science/math

EPICS provides an opportunity to tap into this wave of volunteerism

Motivation: Connecting engineering with people and local communities

34 Schools Participating 1100+ Student Participants

42% Female Participants

40% Underrepresented Participants

Over 50% in Free & Reduced Lunch Programs

Impact: Changing the EquationIncluded in the mission of the EPICS High program is outreach to underrepresented populations. Reports from schools in October 2008 show the following impact:

10 Rural Schools 7 Suburban Schools 17 Urban Schools

30 In-school Programs 4 After-schools Programs

Impact: Varied Program ModelsEPICS High is creating a variety of models to replicate throughout the nation. Of the 34 existing schools, current models are:

Wastewater diversion “green” field maintenance project

Project Overview Use, up to now, discarded Department of Public Works water treatment plant, filter rinse water to:

Irrigate community & school ball fields Establish school based experimental garden Establish school based experimental aquaculture

program to raise and release indigenous fish species in 2 local waterways

collect, refine and correlate learning objectives for subprojects listed above

Project Example: Caseville Schools Huron County Intermediate Schools in Michigan

Guidance Department ESL Assistant Software

Computers give welcome message and common task menu for Hispanic speakers entering McCutcheon

Main menu allows parent/student to select from options – enrollment, withdrawal, questions commonly asked

Completed computerized forms then revert to English for counselors/school use

Project Example: McCutcheon High SchoolTippecanoe County, Indiana

114 Seniors participating in semester long program

List of Project Underway: Recyclable materials storage unit Modular back drop system Custom stage stairs for animals Light writer pendulum Ball return system for a gravity well Mobil art cart Fish pin cover system Sign storage and transportation cart Custom sports equipment rack Climbing tree structure

Project Example: High Tech High San Diego, California

15 projects have already been delivered by High Tech High affecting an estimated 1650 people

Raptor Cage

Motorized Copy Holder

Projects Underway in 3 AreasBioengineering:Aquaponics Tank in Harlem Senior Center

Environmental Engineering:Design water quality sampling station for the East

River

Robotics:High school students are using their robotics

program to work with middle and elementary age students in a mentoring program

In Addition: Developing a system for students to partner with elementary school teachers and create projects to help them teach science

Project Example: Fredrick Douglass Academy Harlem, New York

The Frederick Douglass Academy

Pacific Ridge School Campus Stewardship Project Recycling auditing/setup/maintenance Worm bin setup/maintenance (food composting) Designed and constructed athletic equipment storage box, garden

equipment storage shed, and field-side benches Designed and planted PRS garden (using worm compost)

Elementary School Outreach Project Formed partnership with local elementary school Performed recycling/trash audit Educating students on basics of recycling Implementing school-wide recycling plan

Project Green Partner with regional restaurant chain for the purpose of helping them ‘go

green’ Analyzing customer survey data

Project Example: Pacific Ridge School Carlsbad, California

Pacific Ridge School Service Learning Teams:campus stewardship

Computerized Food Pantry Inventory Project

Students are working with all food pantries in county to sep up a computerized inventory system for tracking food items and customer information

Project Example: Harbor Beach HS Michigan

Leo Club Storm drain marking Specialized dog bowls for non-profit organization Make Lions Club Eye Mobile handicap accessible Design of school IDs

Science Classes Storm drain marking Design and construction of storm drain stencils Rapid stream bioassessment Design of rain gardens Develop water conservation educational materials Salmon rearing and release project

Project Example: Agawam HS Massachussetts

Still in draft format Designed for flexibility Great deal of input from EPICS High teachers Consists of the following 5 modules that address 1 central topic per

week:

1. Design2. Service Learning3. Cultural Context and Ethics4. Teamwork5. Communication

Listed in the curriculum are 3 sections with each module that state learning objectives, national academic standards, and 45 lesson plans

EPICS High Curriculum

Assessment of the EPICS High program currently consists of:◦ Site Visits◦ Bi-Annual Progress Reports◦ Student Surveys – Pre, Post and Senior◦ Survey by Community Partners◦ More Detailed Research Component Coming

Soon!

Evaluation of the summer teacher trainings by participants

The High School EPICS Model: Evaluation and Assessment

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Background of Student Participants

EPICS

All Schools

EPICS High Year 1 Data- 13 out of 15 schools participated in the surveying- 500 EPICS students particpating in the15 schools- 40% student response to survey

Male Female0

10203040506070

Gender of EPICS Survey Partic-ipants

Percent

School and Participant Profile

Urban Suburban Rural05

101520253035404550

School ClassificationPercent

Gained Did Not Gain

No Answer0

10203040506070

Students Understanding of Engineering

Percent

Gained Did Not Gain

No Answer

05

1015202530354045

Students Understanding of Science

Percent

Student Perception of What Was Learned After Being Involved in The Service-Learning Program

EPICS High Ability To Demonstrate How Engineering Helps Peoples

01020304050

% Male % Female

% Undereppresemted % Total Population

Service-Learning Effect on Student Motivation By Population

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010203040

EPICS Ability to Motivate Stu-dents to Pursue a Career in En-

gineering% Male% Female% Undereppresemted% Total Population

010203040

EPICS Ability to Motivate Stu-dents to Pursue a Career in

Science% Male% Female% Undereppresemted% Total Population

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01020304050

Student Overall Opinion of EPICS

% Male% Female% Undereppresemted% Total Population

Student Attitudes After A Service-Learning Experience :

Positive Negative Indifferent0102030405060708090

Conversation To Friends About EPICS Male %

Female%Underrepresented Popula-tion%Total Population%

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Reasons Students Joined EPICS

Percent

Student Attitudes In Pre-survey When Entering Into An EPICS Program…..

Student Attitudes After A Service-Learning Experience….

Change for the worse Change for the better No change0

10203040506070

Change In Reasons After Being In EPICS

Percent

EPICS has the potential to play a role in addressing many current issues including:

Declining interest in Engineering/Computing Continued underrepresentation of women and

minorities Drop out rates Improving STEM education Global competitiveness Building capacity in communities and schools Compelling needs of underserved populations

EPICS High: Potential for Impact

EPICS High continues to bring together the resources for a large-scale national roll-out. Due to the success and overwhelming interest in the program, long-term plans have been accelerated.

Plans for growth include: More Schools!! Securing funding to set up regional training centers Formal patnerships with professional societies Engaging state Service-Learning representatives Training of regional trainers 2009 Learn and Serve America follow-on grant Establishing Teacher Fellows program Building Web Tools and Resources

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EPICS High: Momentum, Momentum!

The Time is Now...Changing the Equation

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