Student Recruitment

Student Recruitment : Student Recruitment Mark D. Conner, Director THE ENGINEERING ACADEMY AT HOOVER HIGH SCHOOL THE ENGINEERING ACADEMY AT HOOVER HIGH SCHOOL in the Context of Globalization

The Proverbial Outline : The Proverbial Outline Is there a problem? Are you part of the solution? How do you get started? Q & A

Falling Way Behind : Falling Way Behind U.S. Asia Asia = China, India, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan. Natural science = math, physics, chemistry, astronomy, biological, and earth, atmospheric, ocean, agricultural sciences and computer sciences. (Source: Science & Engineering Indicators, 2002)

The National Picture : The National Picture Source: National Science Board: Science and Engineering Indicators 2002

How Important is K-12? : How Important is K-12? Numerous studies over the past 5-6 years…with noticeably similar conclusions

National Commission on Mathematics & Science Teaching“Before It’s Too Late” (9/00) : National Commission on Mathematics & Science Teaching “Before It’s Too Late” (9/00) Goal 1: Establish an ongoing system to improve the quality of mathematics and science teaching in grades K–12. Goal 2: Increase significantly the number of mathematics and science teachers and improve the quality of their preparation. Goal 3: Improve the working environment and make the teaching profession more attractive for K–12 mathematics and science teachers.

Business-Higher Education Forum“A Commitment to America’s Future” (1/05) : Business-Higher Education Forum “A Commitment to America’s Future” (1/05) Establish a P-16 Education Council in each state. Simultaneously address and align the five P-12 system components: Content standards Curricula Assessments Teacher preparation Accountability practices Engage business and higher education in more effective P-12 reform roles. Implement coordinated national and state-specific public information programs. (aka “marketing”)

Business Roundtable“Tapping America’s Potential” (7/05) : Business Roundtable “Tapping America’s Potential” (7/05) Build public support for making improvement in science, technology, engineering and mathematics performance a national priority. Motivate U.S. students and adults, using a variety of incentives, to study and enter science, technology, engineering and mathematics careers, with a special effort geared to those in currently underrepresented groups. Upgrade K–12 mathematics and science teaching to foster higher student achievement, including differentiated pay scales for mathematics and science teachers.

National Academy of Sciences“Rising Above the Gathering Storm” (10/05) : National Academy of Sciences “Rising Above the Gathering Storm” (10/05) RECOMMENDATION A: Increase America’s talent pool by vastly improving K–12 science and mathematics education. Action A-1: Annually recruit 10,000 science and mathematics teachers by awarding 4-year scholarships and thereby educating 10 million minds. Action A-2: Strengthen the skills of 250,000 teachers through training and education programs at summer institutes, in master’s programs, and Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate (AP and IB) training programs and thus inspire students every day. Action A-3: Enlarge the pipeline by increasing the number of students who take AP and IB science and mathematics courses. Statewide specialty high schools. Specialty secondary education can foster leaders in science, technology, and mathematics. Specialty schools immerse students in high-quality science, technology, and mathematics education; serve as a mechanism to test teaching materials; provide a training ground for K–12 teachers; and provide the resources and staff for summer programs that introduce students to science and mathematics.

The National Summit on Competitiveness“Investing in U.S. Innovation” (12/05) : The National Summit on Competitiveness “Investing in U.S. Innovation” (12/05) Revitalize Fundamental Research Expand the Innovation Talent Pool in the United States By 2015, double the number of bachelor’s degrees awarded annually to U.S. students in science, math, and engineering, and increase the number of those students who become K-12 science and math teachers. Provide incentives for the creation of public-private partnerships to encourage U.S. students at all levels to pursue studies and/or careers in science, math, technology, and engineering. Lead the World in the Development and Deployment of Advanced Technologies

Domestic Policy Council“American Competitiveness Initiative” (2/06) : Domestic Policy Council “American Competitiveness Initiative” (2/06) A system of education through the secondary level that equips each new generation of Americans with the educational foundation for future study and inquiry in technical subjects and that inspires and sustains their interest; Institutions of higher education that provide American students access to world-class education and research opportunities in mathematics, science, engineering, and technology; Workforce training systems that provide more workers the opportunity to pursue the training and other services necessary to improve their skills and better compete in the 21st century.

Slide12 : Why Focus on High School? Viable engineers

Slide13 : Why Focus on High School? Viable engineers

Why These Trends? : Why These Trends? HS graduates are unprepared for the rigor of the undergraduate curriculum. HS students generally don’t know what engineers do and may often make uninformed decisions (both to and not to pursue engineering). The HS math and science curricula are not engaging and are perceived as irrelevant. To many, the undergraduate engineering curriculum is not engaging or perceived as irrelevant. Of the 1.1 million HS students who took the ACT in 2005, only 5% planned to seek an engineering or science degree unprepared uninformed not engaging and irrelevant not engaging and irrelevant

The Disconnect : The Disconnect Industry hasn’t worked closely with Higher Ed. to shape curricula and attract more students to these fields. Neither Industry nor Higher Ed. has worked closely with K-12 schools to shape curricula and make these career fields attractive to students. There will continue to be a disconnect until all three create a synergy to address these critical issues

The Litmus Test : The Litmus Test Checking priorities… DayTimer Checkbook Is there evidence that industry and higher-ed are doing more than talking about the problem/crisis?

Slide17 : Are you part of the solution?

Show of Hands… : Show of Hands… How many of you are happy with the number and quality of students in your program? Do you notice anything missing in them? Are you doing anything about it?

Knowing “Your Kids” : Knowing “Your Kids” Can you name the top 5 feeder high schools in your area? Can you name the key teacher-leaders at those schools? What specific outreach activities do you have with those schools?

Not Done Yet : Not Done Yet What is the difference between your approach to K-12 outreach today and 10 years ago? 20 years ago? What is your school's/college's vision/mission statement? Does K-12 outreach factor into this? How many of you have faculty members that are actively involved in working with area high schools and/or K-12 leadership to shape their programs? (Aren't you their ultimate consumer?) Who do you target with any outreach that is done?

The Current Landscape : The Current Landscape More high school students with more technology in their possession …and less knowledge of and interest in how the technology works. Declining work ethic Minimized “wow” factor

Making Engineering Relevant : Making Engineering Relevant Define “engineering” in a way that will resonate with 21st century teenagers. …in 20 words or less.

Why Engineering? : Why Engineering? Engineering provides the context for math and science content Engineering emphasizes critical thinking, problem solving, and resourcefulness Engineering design is engaging! To attract more students to engineering, we need to show students that engineering is cool!

Engineering for Technological Literacy : Engineering for Technological Literacy Reading literacy was the essential element of education in the 20th century. Technological literacy will become the essential element in the 21st century. U.S. economic growth is based on the need for a technologically advanced workforce. Workers who aren’t technologically literate will face a standard of living comparable to those who couldn’t read and write in the 20th century!

Slide25 : How do you get started?

Bridging the Gap : Bridging the Gap Grass-Roots Efforts Extracurricular Activities Design Competitions Individual High School Courses Focused, Long-Term High School Curriculum

Outreach to K-12 People : Outreach to K-12 People Teachers Principals Superintendents Build partnerships with your school/college of education

Undergraduate Tutors : Undergraduate Tutors Schools offering Calculus & Physics are usually in need of tutors. Train undergraduate engineering students. Alternate between the high school and university campuses. Begin building bridges with these teachers.

Take Open House on the Road : Take Open House on the Road Take the dog-and-pony show on the road. Make sure you have the right people “on tour”. Aim Low…age-wise! Think long-term.

Engineering Explorers : Engineering Explorers

BEST Robotics : BEST Robotics

BEST Robotics, Inc. : BEST Robotics, Inc. 6-week “design-to-market” competition RC robot Engineering Notebook Oral Presentation Display Free to schools Engineering Mentors www.bestinc.org

The Infinity Project : The Infinity Project

The Infinity Project : The Infinity Project One-year high school engineering curriculum Focal point of the content is Digital Signal Processing Strong text. LabVIEW DSP. TI Hardware. Solid training. UCF Model!

An All-Out K-12 Initiative : An All-Out K-12 Initiative Partnership between Hoover City Schools and Auburn University A “Pipeline” Program Culminating in a Focused, 4-Year High School Engineering Curriculum The Engineering Academy (at Hoover High School)

Initiative Goals : Initiative Goals Develop an engineering culture at all levels of K-12 by developing hands-on programs: Provide real-world Science & Math applications Allow students to experience engineering! Develop an engineering mentor program at all school levels to “demystify” what engineering is and what engineers do

Creating a Pipeline : Creating a Pipeline

The Engineering Academyat Hoover High School : The Engineering Academy at Hoover High School Conceived in the Fall of 2003 Exposure and focused preparation for undergraduate engineering curricula Math, Science, and Engineering “Original” elective sequence First freshman class entered in 2004 First graduating class in 2008

The Engineering Academy Concept : The Engineering Academy Concept Four-year high school curriculum Math culminating in Calculus Biology, Chemistry, and a strong emphasis on Physics (2 years) Engineering Electives to provide: 1education re. the engineering profession, 2context and 3essential skill set Technical Communication Engineering Design Process Working on a Team Engineering Drawing Programming Logic …to name a few! Starting Point! Copyright © 2004 Mark D. Conner

Academy Curriculum : Academy Curriculum The number of students taking Algebra I in the 8th grade must increase if we are to raise standards and expectations for math and science education. The answer to “When will we ever use this stuff?” Copyright © 2004 Mark D. Conner

Academy Curriculum : Academy Curriculum Introduction to Engineering (9th) Engineering Design Process (hands-on), Basic Computer Skills, Hand-Drawing Techniques, Solid Modeling Engineering Instrumentation & Analysis (10th) Discipline-Specific Research & Design, Engineering Instrumentation, Data Collection & Analysis Engineering Computations (11th) Programming Logic, MATLAB, LabVIEW, Intro. to Finite Element Modeling & Analysis Engineering Design & Entrepreneurship (12th) “Concept to Market,” Marketing, Engineering Economics, Senior “Capstone” Design Project Ethics and Oral/Written Communications Skills (9-12) Copyright © 2005 Mark D. Conner

Key Points : Key Points Taught by engineers…consistent with NCLB! Purely elective coursework Coupled with BEST & Infinity Collaboration with higher-ed and industry Geared to prepare students for undergraduate engineering curricula

Minimizing Hurdles : Minimizing Hurdles “Para”-Education Design competitions, tutoring programs, “guest speaking”, elective coursework…all fall outside of DoE governance! Form alliances with those in education.

Slide44 : Questions?