Connecting Education and Research on Retention in Engineering

Saturday, February 18, 2012: 1:30 PM-4:30 PM
Room 119-120 (VCC West Building)
Advancing science and engineering (S&E) education to build the scientific capacity to remain competitive in this global economy has reached a critical point. Building a work force capable of addressing issues such as climate change, energy, and water requires an educated populace. With a growing need to increase the recruitment and retention of undergraduate students in engineering and science, researchers and evaluators will present their work. Multiple strategies of increasing retention in undergraduate S&E have been conducted and have had varying degrees of success. Some of these strategies are very controversial. Current research findings and evaluation evidence on retention will be the focus of this session. All of the presenters are working or have worked in similar areas to examine the research and perspectives on retention. They have collaborated with multiple institutions and are interdisciplinary and cross-cutting. Topics related to the impact of the day-to-day retention activities at universities, how data have been used to promote change, the methods successful in encouraging change, and research results to support recommendations for change will be addressed. Student migration patterns in and out of S&E disciplines, policies, curricular structure, program culture and their impact on retention, and academic climate in S&E fields will be the primary topics presented.
Organizer:
Suzanne Gage Brainard, University of Washington
Co-organizers:
Yolanda George, AAAS Education and Human Resources
and Elizabeth Litzler, University of Washington
Discussant:
Ted Greenwood, Alfred P. Sloan Foundation
Speakers:
Lynne E. Molter, Swarthmore College
Student Migration Patterns in and Out of STEM Fields
Susan S. Metz, Stevens Institute of Technology
Using Research-Based Strategies To Retain Engineering Students
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