2023 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Examining the Unique Experiences of Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Students in a Pre-College Engineering Course

Presented at Equity, Culture & Social Justice in Education Division (EQUITY) Technical Session 3

Very little research has been undertaken to better understand the experiences of transgender and gender nonconforming (TGNC) students in engineering. This paper aims to provide quantitative perspectives from this underrepresented and largely ignored population when participating in a pre-college engineering course. Pre and post-surveys were given to all e4usa students during the 2021-2022 school year. Surveys aimed to capture pre-college engineering student perspectives of the e4usa course. Data were analyzed using t-tests, and multi-linear regression. Results from the t-tests found that the relatively small sample of TGNC students (n = 9) reported lower levels of interest in engineering and intentions to pursue engineering after taking this course relative to their peers. A deeper understanding of TGNC student experiences in the e4usa course will help to improve the course, while also exposing the policies and practices in the field of engineering that continue to marginalize these students.

Authors
  1. Dr. Sabina Anne Schill Florida International University [biography]
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For those interested in:

  • Broadening Participation in Engineering and Engineering Technology
  • gender
  • LGBTQIA+
  • Pre-College
  • engineering