2023 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Board 413: Towards an Understanding of the Impact of Community Engaged Learning Projects on Enhancing Teachers’ Understanding of Engineering and Intercultural Awareness

Presented at NSF Grantees Poster Session

Two regional universities have completed the first round of a three-year collaborative NSF Research Experience for Teachers grant focused on human-centered design and appropriate technology for developing countries. In this transformative research experience, teachers travel to global community partner sites to engage in learning projects aimed to enhance their understanding of engineering and intercultural awareness. Upon return from their immersion experience, the teachers complete an intensive, two-week curriculum development workshop. The teachers then pilot the resulting lesson(s) in their classroom, make revisions as necessary, and share their finalized curriculum with other STEM educators via the TeachingEngineering website. Throughout the experience, teachers benefit professionally through integrated development activities and cultivate greater self-awareness and understanding of culture.

First, this paper will summarize the project to date. Then, we present observations from participants’ reflections, semi-structured interviews, and pre/post intercultural assessments. Next, we highlight the collaborative outreach and capacity-building efforts which resulted in a new community partner and immersion site. Finally, we discuss the unique opportunities and challenges associated with navigating international travel and immersion experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Authors

Dr. Kellie Schneider University of Dayton [biography]

Kellie Schneider is an Associate Professor in the Department of Engineering Management, Systems, and Technology at the University of Dayton. Prior to joining the faculty at UD, she was an instructor in the Freshman Engineering Program at the University of Arkansas. Her research interests are in the areas of engineering education and community-based operations research.
Dr. Leanne Petry Central State University [biography]

Dr. Leanne Petry is a Materials Engineer and Professor in the College of Engineering, Science, Technology, and Agriculture (CESTA) at Central State
University (CSU). Her expertise is in analytical and materials characterization techniques, including microscopy, spectroscopy, chromatography, and
electrochemistry. Her research interests include oxidation-reduction reactions at the surface of electrodes for sensor applications, corrosion mechanisms of
materials, as well as their electrochemical degradation. She currently serves as the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) – CSU Chapter President, the Director of Faculty Development in the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) as well as Chair of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Council at CSU. She advocates for the incorporation of high-impact practices such as problem-based learning into educator lectures, laboratories, and outreach activities to engage students and the community in the education process, particularly STEM education.
Dr. Margaret Pinnell University of Dayton [biography]

Dr. Margaret Pinnell is the Associate Dean for Faculty and Staff Development in the school of engineering and associate professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the University of Dayton. She teaches undergraduate and gradua
Kelly Bohrer University of Dayton [biography]

Kelly Bohrer is the Executive Director of the ETHOS Center, a community engagement center connecting students, faculty, and staff with NGOâ€™s around the world for technical projects as part of immersions, teaching, and scholarly activity. She also is th
Dr. Amy Anderson [biography]

Amy Anderson is the Associate Provost for Global and Intercultural Affairs and Executive Director of the Center for International Programs (CIP) at the University of Dayton. The CIP provides coordination, strategic planning and administrative support for
Elizabeth Generas
Mrs. Marjorie Langston Langston
Sharath Krishna

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