Abstract
The characteristics that make up the general identity of engineering technology (ET) degree programs and their graduates are well known; however, the explicit characteristics of ET capstone nationally is unknown. In other words, there are multiple gaps in the general ET capstone body of knowledge that need to be filled in order to fully understand and describe the current state. The purpose of this short paper is to provide a synopsis of 1) the current known identity of ET education, 2) existing ET capstone research, and 3) ET capstone knowledge gaps (i.e., future research areas). Internal preliminary findings comparing traditional engineering degree programs and ET capstone experiences include differences in duration, project types and sources, budgets, assessments, etc. Additionally, findings show that ET degree programs have been excluded in multiple large-scale national capstone-based research studies investigating current and longitudinal practices, design teaching taxonomies, and graduate career readiness. Deeper insights into ET capstone practices is needed and can help empower stakeholders (e.g., faculty, administrators, researchers, etc.) to articulate ET’s value more effectively within the broader landscape of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), and hopefully spark interest in new research collaborations within the general capstone community in order to address identified knowledge gaps. A better understood and possibly improved ET capstone experience could help better prepare graduates to transition into the workforce by minimizing the time needed to acquire new knowledge, skills, and abilities after being hired.
Keywords
Engineering Technology, Capstone, Identity, Literature Review, Short Paper
Date of this Version
11-2024
Recommended Citation
Webster, Rustin and Turner, Matthew, "Engineering Technology Capstone: Exploring the Current State" (2024). School of Engineering Technology Faculty Publications. Paper 14.
https://docs.lib.purdue.edu/soetfp/14
Comments
This is the author-accepted manuscript of Webster, Rustin, and Matthew Turner. 2024. “Engineering Technology Capstone: Exploring the Current State.” Journal of Engineering Technology 41 (2): 34–39. https://jet.scholasticahq.com/article/126555-engineering-technology-capstone-exploring-the-current-state
© 2024 American Society for Engineering Education. Shared here with publisher permission. The Journal of Engineering Technology can be found through the ASEE Engineering Technology Division page as well as through the Scholastica page.