Engineer by Trade
Educator by Heart
Research Presentations
A Counter-narrative from the Mississippi Delta: Teacher and Student Experiences in a Pre-Engineering Program
2018 NARST Conference Poster Presentation
Strand 11: Cultural, Social, and Gender Issues
Presenters: Takumi Sato; Brenda Brand; Anza Mitchell; Lezly Taylor
Abstract: Our research examined the sociocultural awareness of teachers, university faculty and high school students as they came together to author a new narrative on STEM participation by students of color in the Mississippi Delta, an area that has been historically disenfranchised from such opportunities. We operate from an understanding that race and ethnicity, poverty and gender are known barriers to participation in STEM. We argue that high quality
learning and instruction absolutely requires sociocultural awareness among all involved especially in communities of color. We share composite counterstories to illustrate how sociocultural awareness ultimately clarified the purpose of participation in the robotics program toward changing the narratives about who can be successful in STEM pursuits.
Influencing the Self-efficacy and Identity of Students in a Pre-engineering Robotics Program
2017 NARST Conference Presentation
Strand 2: Science Learning: Contexts, Characteristics and Interactions
Presenters: Takumi Sato; Brenda Brand; Whitney Wright; Anza Mitchell
Abstract: This study presents the influence upon self-efficacy and identity of high school students in the first-year of a longitudinal study of a pre-engineering robotics program. The program is situated in the Mississippi Delta in a school district with a majority African American population and partner Historically Black College and University (HBCU). We drew upon self-efficacy (Bandura, 1994) and identity theory (Gee, 2001) as frameworks to inform our study. We used modified Longitudinal Assessment of Engineering SelfEfficacy (LAESE) and Attitude Toward Science Inventory (ATSI) survey instruments as pre and post measures given at the beginning of the program and after the completion of the first season along with semi-structured interviews as primary data sources. Survey results showed that the robotics program had positive influences leading to increase in self-efficacy and identity for some while and raised new concerns for other students. Interviews revealed the importance of the curricular design and instruction and social factors that support students in
STEM endeavors. Influencing self-efficacy and identity is a complex process and not easily accomplished in one year as K12 students need sustained opportunities for robust learning experiences in order to influence self-efficacy and identity.
"Actualizing STEM Potential in the Mississippi Delta
2016 Mid-Atlantic ASTE Conference Presentation
Presenters: Brenda Brand; Takumi Sato; Whitney Wright; Anza Mitchell
Research Description:
This NSF project is designed to better understand factors influencing the achievement of African American students in STEM disciplines and orientation to STEM majors. This four year longitudinal mixed methods research study involves African American high school students participating in a collaborative robotics/pre-engineering program. The design allows researchers to follow a
group of students from freshman to their senior year, so that key factors influencing the students’ learning and achievement can be observed and documented during the peak years of decision making for college majors and careers. Quantitatively, this research employs pre and post measures to determine changes in students engineering self-efficacy and scientific identities. Qualitatively, field notes from observations and interviews with provide data on program elements determined effective in positively influencing the African American students’ achievement of program objectives and decisions to pursue STEM careers. Students’ responses indicate favorable views toward specific elements of the robotics program.
"That's Engineering?!"
2015 ASEE Student Division
Poster Session: Mentorship through Proposed Research
Research Question:
Can exposing creative students to non-traditional engineering careers increase their interest in engineering as a college major and career option?
Research Question:
Can exposing creative students to non-traditional engineering careers increase their interest in engineering as a college major and career option?
Conclusion:
Existing programs are effective at increasing interest of students who are interested in math and science and some other students, but leaves out quite a few students. Students whose
interests are in the arts or list art or music as their favorite subject are not reached through traditional outreach programs. For these students it is important to tie in engineering concepts that align more with their interests. It is important to reach these students in order to meet the demands for more innovative engineers from industry. A new program that introduces students to non-traditional and traditional engineering careers can engage the creative students while still including the more math and science driven students.