Abstract

This paper presents the development and implementation of an integrative half-day workshop experience for high school students that combines elements of four degree programs: Organizational Leadership, Electrical Engineering Technology, Mechanical Engineering Technology, and Computer Graphics Technology. During the workshop, students engage in active learning: Purdue New Albany is transformed into an aerospace design think tank and high school students are transformed into Polytechnic interns. The interns are then presented with a challenge: A new form of bacteria has possibly been identified on Mars and soil samples must be collected for analysis, however, the next shuttle launch is in 3 hours and the robotic equipment has to be ready! Student teams work with faculty mentors to design, test, and retest robots that can navigate the surface of Mars and collect a soil sample for analysis. Through this integrative experience, students work in teams to learn and apply new skills in leadership, engineering technology, and computer graphics. The impact of the recruitment event is assessed via pre and post surveys of students’ attitudes towards the degree options based on Likert style assessments.

Comments

This is the author accepted manuscript of Turner, M., Dues, J., Cooley, T., Webster, R., Kopp, R., McCart, A., & Reynolds, D. (2016). Purdue mission to mars: Recruiting students into a polytechnic college. Journal of Engineering Technology 33(2), 8-18.

© 2018 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.

Date of this Version

2016

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