Topics of Interest for Readers
All Readers:
- Read the new research on e4usa Program Impact!
- Read about an e4usa Liaison Partnership!
New Research on e4usa Program Impact
e4usa research team members Medha Dalal, Assad Iqbal, and Adam Carberry recently published, “Blended Implementation of Existing Precollege Engineering Programs: Teacher Perspectives of Program Impact” in the IEEE Transactions on Education. Their study contributes to the growing body of research by unpacking the needs of and the impact on an important stakeholder group (i.e., the teachers) in the engineering education ecosystem to help inform the future design and development of teacher professional learning models. Four themes of growing confidence, exercising agency, responsive professional development, and support structures emerged across the four datasets. Collectively these themes capture pragmatic understandings of offering a new, blended precollege STEM program and advance an argument for the involvement of all stakeholders to support the teachers.
A Look into an e4usa Liaison Partnership
Below is an account of a partnership between an e4usa teacher and their university liaison, told from the perspective of the teacher! We are excited to see their relationship continue to grow.
"The partnership between Mindy (Dr. Mindy Zarske, University of Colorado Boulder) and I (Erin Bley, Frontier Academy High School, CO) is indeed fruitful, fostering a dynamic exchange that enriches both parties involved. Our regular meetings serve as a cornerstone for collaboration and growth. Through discussions about the books we're reading, we delve into how they enhance our teaching and what we learn from them. These discussions enhance our understanding of the texts and nurture critical thinking skills and empathy. Moreover, by sharing our learning journeys and identifying areas of struggle, we construct a supportive environment where challenges are met with collective wisdom and encouragement. These meetings guide us through the e4usa curriculum's intricacies, ensuring that each student receives the tailored support they need to thrive academically and beyond.
Beyond academics, our meetings extend into personal development, reflecting a holistic approach to education. Conversations about life in general and personal goals foster a sense of belonging and trust and serve as invaluable tools for understanding the e4usa material in a deeper context. These discussions offer alternative lenses through which to view the curriculum, enriching my understanding and appreciation of the material. Moreover, by connecting academic concepts to real-life scenarios and personal anecdotes, Mindy and I develop a deeper sense of relevance and engagement with the material. Our meetings serve as transformative spaces where the interplay between personal growth and academic understanding cultivates a profound and multifaceted approach to learning. They lay the foundation for a future defined by knowledge, empathy, and fulfillment."
Erin Bley, e4usa Teacher
Frontier Academy High School, CO
e4usa Team Members Presented at Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) Convention & Expo
For the first time, e4usa had a presence at the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) 2024 Convention & Expo in San Antonio, TX! Thousands of special education professionals from around the world came together to learn, share, grow, and connect at this conference! In alignment with the mission of e4usa, Jenny Kouo and Jeannie Chipps shared case study research on e4usa teacher, RD Sagun, who is teaching the e4usa curriculum to students with disabilities. Additionally, engineering design projects where students with disabilities served as stakeholders were presented to showcase how e4usa students are applying human-centered engineering! Jenny and Jeannie hope to return to the CEC Convention & Expo next year with more presentations that will help to broaden participation of students with disabilities in engineering.
e4usa Highlighted in Leaders In Focus Article
The University of Maryland's President Pines' NOT ALONE Leaders in Focus article talks about how through e4usa, high school students learn engineering principles, skills, and the design process, helping to grow the STEM pipeline with diverse students!
e4usa Team Member Elected to AIMBE College of Fellows
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WASHINGTON, D.C.— The American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE) has announced the induction of Stacy S. Klein-Gardner, Ph.D., Adjunct Professor at Vanderbilt University to its College of Fellows.
Election to the AIMBE College of Fellows is among the highest professional distinctions accorded to medical and biological engineers, comprised of the top two percent of engineers in these fields. College membership honors those who have made outstanding contributions to "engineering and medicine
research, practice, or education” and to "the pioneering of new and developing fields of technology, making major advancements in traditional fields of medical and biological engineering or developing/implementing innovative approaches to bioengineering education."
Professor Klein-Gardner was nominated, reviewed, and elected by peers and members of the College of Fellows “for pioneering contributions in building the next generation of engineers through K-12 engineering education, increasing diversity and mentorship.”
Professor Klein-Gardner says, “I am so honored to join the AIMBE College of Fellows. The recognition that it brings to Engineering for US All makes me proud.”
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