Enhancing Future Classrooms: Investigating the Impact of Exposing Pre-service Teachers to Engineering in Elementary Teacher Preparation Programs
Description/Abstract/Artist Statement
This research project aims to explore whether exposing pre-service teachers to engineering during their Elementary Teacher Preparation Program at ODU increases the likelihood of them integrating engineering into their future classrooms. The significance of this study lies in addressing the underrepresentation in STEM fields, with early exposure to STEM education being crucial for cultivating future interest in these careers.
A mixed methods approach, including surveys, interviews, focus groups, and participant reflections, was employed to collect data from pre-service teachers at the beginning and end of the semester. The data gathered covers aspects such as their knowledge of engineering, willingness to integrate it into their classrooms, and the overall value they assign to engineering education in the K-12 curriculum. Additionally, participant reflections were collected to provide insights into their experiences.
While the results are pending and data is still undergoing analysis, the hypothesis posits that meaningful experiences with engineering will lead pre-service teachers to express a greater willingness to integrate engineering into their future classrooms. The potential outcome of increased engineering integration in K-12 classrooms holds promise for boosting minority participation in STEM careers.
Keywords: Pre-service teachers, Engineering Integration, Diversity, STEM Education, K-12 Education
Faculty Advisor/Mentor
Dr. Jennifer Kidd
Faculty Advisor/Mentor Department
Teaching and Learning
College Affiliation
College of Education & Professional Studies (Darden)
Presentation Type
Poster
Disciplines
Elementary Education and Teaching | Engineering | Junior High, Intermediate, Middle School Education and Teaching | Pre-Elementary, Early Childhood, Kindergarten Teacher Education | Secondary Education and Teaching
Session Title
Poster Session
Location
Learning Commons Lobby @ Perry Library
Start Date
3-30-2024 8:30 AM
End Date
3-30-2024 10:00 AM
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Enhancing Future Classrooms: Investigating the Impact of Exposing Pre-service Teachers to Engineering in Elementary Teacher Preparation Programs
Learning Commons Lobby @ Perry Library
This research project aims to explore whether exposing pre-service teachers to engineering during their Elementary Teacher Preparation Program at ODU increases the likelihood of them integrating engineering into their future classrooms. The significance of this study lies in addressing the underrepresentation in STEM fields, with early exposure to STEM education being crucial for cultivating future interest in these careers.
A mixed methods approach, including surveys, interviews, focus groups, and participant reflections, was employed to collect data from pre-service teachers at the beginning and end of the semester. The data gathered covers aspects such as their knowledge of engineering, willingness to integrate it into their classrooms, and the overall value they assign to engineering education in the K-12 curriculum. Additionally, participant reflections were collected to provide insights into their experiences.
While the results are pending and data is still undergoing analysis, the hypothesis posits that meaningful experiences with engineering will lead pre-service teachers to express a greater willingness to integrate engineering into their future classrooms. The potential outcome of increased engineering integration in K-12 classrooms holds promise for boosting minority participation in STEM careers.
Keywords: Pre-service teachers, Engineering Integration, Diversity, STEM Education, K-12 Education