STEM-PASS Program with Marietta Schools Using the TI-RSLK as a Tool
Disciplines
Electrical and Computer Engineering | Engineering
Abstract (300 words maximum)
Women and minorities in STEM (especially in engineering) still lag behind their traditional male counterparts in university enrollment, nurturing, retention, graduation, placement, and tracking. This study explores and compares the scores of the top six feeder high school's test scores to Kennesaw State Universities enrollment, retention, and graduation rates broken down by gender and demographics. Lassiter, Allatoona, Etowah, Harrison, Marietta, and North Cobb High Schools data was analyzed to examine whether female and minority students were preforming on the same level as their traditional counterparts in STEM areas, to first determine whether that was the cause of the gap. KSU was then studied and analyzed on enrollment, retention, and graduation rates. The purpose of this project is to show how women and minorities are not as stimulated and supported in STEM fields (especially in engineering) as traditional males are, and to propose a solution as to how peer support can change that. There is a serious and fixable discrepancy in the current Engineering Pipeline, and that is where this research effort will show that having a STEM Peer Augmented Success Support (STEM-PASS) will not only help women and minorities, but also get them to want to be more involved in STEM-based careers. The results of this research effort will show and point the way to a sustained and fundable program for this local region in the short term and nationally in the long term.
Academic department under which the project should be listed
SPCEET - Engineering Technology
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Dr. Cyril Okhio
STEM-PASS Program with Marietta Schools Using the TI-RSLK as a Tool
Women and minorities in STEM (especially in engineering) still lag behind their traditional male counterparts in university enrollment, nurturing, retention, graduation, placement, and tracking. This study explores and compares the scores of the top six feeder high school's test scores to Kennesaw State Universities enrollment, retention, and graduation rates broken down by gender and demographics. Lassiter, Allatoona, Etowah, Harrison, Marietta, and North Cobb High Schools data was analyzed to examine whether female and minority students were preforming on the same level as their traditional counterparts in STEM areas, to first determine whether that was the cause of the gap. KSU was then studied and analyzed on enrollment, retention, and graduation rates. The purpose of this project is to show how women and minorities are not as stimulated and supported in STEM fields (especially in engineering) as traditional males are, and to propose a solution as to how peer support can change that. There is a serious and fixable discrepancy in the current Engineering Pipeline, and that is where this research effort will show that having a STEM Peer Augmented Success Support (STEM-PASS) will not only help women and minorities, but also get them to want to be more involved in STEM-based careers. The results of this research effort will show and point the way to a sustained and fundable program for this local region in the short term and nationally in the long term.