2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Board 149: Pioneering Pathways for High School Students in STEM Education (Work in Progress)

Presented at Pre-College Engineering Education Division (PCEE) Poster Session

Our program aims to impact local high school students by highlighting engineering as a vital component of STEM education and building bridges to college life. A distinguished high school known for its robust engineering program serves as our partner, with a focus on underrepresented students. Our goal is to provide high school students with a taste of college-level engineering experiences and promote their interest in STEM fields. We successfully hosted 15 students, of whom 9 identified as underrepresented, including LGBTQIA+, women in STEM, and minority students. Most students enjoyed and highly valued their experience. Teachers were supportive and recommended expanding the program to other schools.

We adapted a college-level lab experience to make it more accessible to high school students and enhanced the campus tour to provide them with a holistic view of university life. We have found that the key takeaway from this initiative is the ease and success of the endeavor. Our program represents a new contribution to pre-college engineering education by providing high school students with hands-on exposure to engineering concepts and a glimpse into life as college students. Our future plans include making this an annual event, expanding it to other schools and student communities, and improving non-lab activities to further engage underrepresented communities.

This program aims to increase the diversity, equity, and inclusion of all students in STEM education, and we are committed to enhancing the experience for both students and teachers. By fostering early interest in engineering and STEM, we hope to encourage more students to pursue these fields and bridge the gap between pre-college and college education.

Authors

Mr. Adam W Davidson Duke University [biography]

Adam is a seasoned educator and Senior Laboratory Administrator for the Electrical & Computer Engineering (ECE) department at Duke University's Pratt School of Engineering. With a degree in Technology Education from NC State University, his journey in education began as a Technology Education teacher at Penn-Griffin School for the Arts and later as a PLTW Engineering Instructor and Fab Lab Manager at Riverside High School and Technology Equipment Coordinator for Durham Public Schools. His contributions to the field have earned him recognition as an Ultimaker Pioneer, National Board Certified Teacher, STEM Educator of the Year, and PLTW Outstanding Teacher of the Year.

Adam's dedication to STEM education extends beyond the classroom. He has repeatedly presented at Construct3d conferences, and presented at the STEM in the Park Industry Summit. He's also a contributing author, sharing his expertise in self-regulated learning and performance. His passion for education has led to the establishment of makerspaces in Durham Public Schools and the early adoption of 3D printing technology in DPS classrooms.

Outside of his professional life, Adam is a gaming enthusiast, Lego builder, artist, and an ardent reader. He and his wife share their home with two disabled cats and a disabled dog.

Looking ahead, Adam is committed to enhancing undergraduate lab spaces and curriculum, facilitating the transition from secondary to post-secondary education in STEM, and improving Teaching Assistant (TA) training. His mentorship and guidance continue to impact individuals, educators, and STEM enthusiasts, solidifying his role as a leader in the field.
Mr. Kip D. Coonley Duke University [biography]

Kip D. Coonley received the Ph.D. degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Duke University, Durham, NC in 2023, the M.S. degree in Electrical Engineering from Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, in 1999 and the B.S. degree in Physics from Bates College, Lewiston, ME, in 1997. Following graduation from Dartmouth, he developed electronically controlled dimmers for fluorescent and incandescent lamps at Lutron Electronics, Coopersburg, PA. From 2001 to 2005, he was a Research Engineer at RTI International, where he designed high-efficiency thermoelectrics using epitaxially grown superlattice thin-film structures. Since 2005, he has been the Undergraduate Laboratory Manager in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Duke University, Durham, NC earning the doctoral degree in 2023. His research interests include undergraduate engineering education, energy harvesting, RFID, power electronics, plasma physics, and thin films.

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