“High Schools Improving Lives with Engineering Projects in Community Service-Learning” Serve Prepare Succeed Pamela Dexter.

“High Schools Improving Lives with Engineering Projects in Community Service-Learning”

http://epics-high.ecn.purdue.edu/Serve

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Succeed

Pamela DexterEPICS High School Program CoordinatorPurdue University

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William OakesEPICS Program DirectorAssoc. Professor, Engineering EducationPurdue University

What is EPICS High? EPICS brings students together with

the community and exposes them to STEM fields.

Teams of students partner with a non-profit organization to complete projects filling needs to help the organizations better serve the community.

Connects STEM with service-learning in high schools

The EPICS Consortium20 University EPICS Programs47 High School Programs in 9 states

California, Indiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, Virginia, Texas, Arizona, Pennsylvania, and Illinois (New!)

EPICS High Impact = Diversity!

o 1875 Studentso 42% Femaleso 37% Underrepresented Minorities o Over 253,000 people positively impacted by

EPICS High projects!

Flexible Program Models

EPICS High is flexible in helping schools implement. A variety of successful existing models in rural, suburban and urban areas are in place for replication. Current models include:

• In-school Programs… EPICS as a class or part of an existing class

• After-schools Programs…also include clubs

• A mix of in-school and after-school…allows more students to be involved

Model schools have teachers from varying subject areas involved in their EPICS programs. EPICS is working to build clusters of schools that may find ways to bring their area students together and offer support to one another.

EPICS High Motivation: Making Connections High percentage of students

interested in volunteering Service-learning is rarely connected

with STEM learning Attracting a diverse population of

students to STEM fields

One goal is to increase student awareness of, and interest in engineering, computing and technology fields.

Positive results from student surveys in 2010-11: 63% of students more likely to pursue a career in engineering Before EPICS - 27% had no interest in engineering After 1 term in EPICS - 47% of those had a strong interest in engineering

Communication Skills Reinforces STEM Learning Entrepreneurship Career Exploration

Student Benefits:

Community Benefits: • Improve current services • Try new, innovative ideas• Positioning as a leader among area non-profits• Access to technical knowledge/resources that would otherwise

be prohibitively expensive

Meeting NeedsEPICS is an innovative, hands-on, problem based teaching method

Professional SkillsCommunity InvolvementReal World Experience

Meeting StandardsMany standards can be achieved through EPICS. Students with varying academic interests play a role on EPICS teams. Academic standards met by EPICS projects could easily include:

Math

ex: Problem-solving and utilizing math skills

Science

ex: Using scientific theories in practical applications

Language Arts

ex: Master good communication in order to both receive and disseminate information and understand others

EPICS Projects Education: K-12 schools, museums, after-

school programs

Access and abilities: clinics for children with disabilities, programs for adults with disabilities, assistive technology

Human services: Habitat for Humanity, humane societies, food pantries, neighborhood revitalization, local government

Environment: environmental organizations, neighborhood associations, parks & recreation

Project Example: McCutcheon High School, Indiana

Design Projects with an Educational Outreach and Access and Abilities Focus

Designed software that gives welcome message & common task menu for Hispanic speakers registering for classes, and then reverts the information to English for counselors/school use

Adapted a walker for a special needs student

Designed interactive & computerized phonics lessons for the school corporation utilized to teach young learners and ESL students.

Project Example: Fredrick Douglass Academy, New York Bioengineering:Designed and built green spaces within a

Harlem Senior Center to improve air quality and for beautification efforts

Environmental Engineering:Designed and monitor water quality sampling station for the East River and report findings to the city and local organizations working to improve the water quality

Education and Outreach: Partnering with elementary school teachers to create projects and design equipment that help them teach science

Project Example:Pacific Ridge School, California

Educational Outreach and Environmental Projects

Designed and constructed athletic equipment storage box, garden equipment storage shed, and field-side benches for new campus

Designed and implemented a campus recycling program then educated feeder schools on their program and

helped them to implement a similar program at their

schools

Students were designing prototypes to determine how to utilize solar power on their school campus

EPICS is Design-based, Service-learningEPICS projects follow a design process consisting of steps that include identifying needs, analyzing solutions, and redesigning.

Design is learned through experience• Experience making mistakes, good guesses and mistakes• Experience seeing implications of decisions• Experience in serving a real customer or user

Teachers act in a role of facilitators or coaches• Most of time spent guiding design work and exploration• Allow students to experience their decisions and work in design• Guide students in filling roles on the team and leading the projects

EPICS High CurriculumDesigned for flexibilityGreat deal of input from High School

teachers

Consists of the following 5 modules:1. Human-Centered Design2. Service Learning3. Cultural Context and Ethics4. Teamwork5. Communication

Listed in the curriculum are sections within each module that state learning objectives and national academic standards met.

Where do we start?... You already have!

Summer training is the best place to start! This week will include sessions on the following topics:PartnershipsProject ManagementTeamingAssessmentTeaching DesignSocial Context and CultureThe EPICS Model & Service-Learning

Our goal is for you to leave with the tools and planning needed to implement and maintain successful EPICS High programs

Look for 2012

Training Dates

in early Spring!

What will I get if I become an EPICS High site?Professional Development OpportunitiesSupport and Resources from EPICS

HeadquartersExposure to Other EPICS High Sites and

TeachersAccess to University and Corporate Mentors for

Needed Expertise and ResourcesEPICS High CurriculumFunding Leads That Arise Through Grants or

CorporationsAccess to Professional Societies such as

National Society of Black Engineers, Society of Women in Engineering Members, Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers members

To Be a Reconginzied Leader in Education

EPICS High Contact Information

EPICS HighHeadquartered at Purdue UniversityEmail: [email protected]. (765)496-1889Website: www.engineering.purdue.edu/EPICSHS

Program Coordinator: Pamela Dexter