Board 146: Enhancing STEM Education through Engaging Summer Programs: A Multi-Faceted Strategy

Tala Katbeh; Gerald Benjamin Cieslinski; Hassan Said Bazzi; Syed Mustafa Husain Abidi

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Conference: 2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition
Location: Portland, Oregon
Publication Date: June 23, 2024
Start Date: June 23, 2024
End Date: July 12, 2024
Conference Session: Pre-College Engineering Education Division (PCEE) Poster Session
Tagged Division: Pre-College Engineering Education Division (PCEE)
Permanent URL: https://peer.asee.org/46705

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Paper Authors

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Tala Katbeh Texas A&M University orcid.org/0000-0002-0088-0752

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Tala Katbeh is a STEM Instructor and Program Coordinator at Texas A&M University at Qatar (TAMUQ) where she applies her knowledge and enthusiasm for engineering to create curricula and engineering courses for school students. Katbeh is currently also pursuing her PhD at Texas A&M University, having graduated from TAMUQ with a BSc and MSc both in chemical engineering.

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Gerald Benjamin Cieslinski Texas A&M University at Qatar

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Assistant Director of STEM Outreach

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Hassan Said Bazzi Texas A&M University at Qatar

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Dr. Hassan S. Bazzi is the senior associate dean for research and advancement and professor of chemistry at Texas A&M University at Qatar, a branch campus of Texas A&M University. Dr. Bazzi is also professor of materials science & engineering at Texas A&M University. Dr. Bazzi received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in chemistry and organic chemistry, respectively, from the American University of Beirut (1996 and 1998), and his Ph.D. in polymer chemistry with Dean’s Honor List from McGill University (2003). He worked briefly with the United Nations as a chemical weapons inspector in Iraq before doing a postdoctoral research fellowship at Université de Montréal. He joined Texas A&M at Qatar as assistant professor in 2004, was promoted to associate professor (2009), and then to full professor (2014). Dr. Bazzi completed the Management Development Program (June 2014) and the Institute for Management and Leadership in Education (June 2018) at Harvard University Graduate School of Education.

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Syed Mustafa Husain Abidi Texas A&M University at Qatar

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Abstract

As the world increasingly relies on STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) innovations, it is essential to prepare the next generation of pioneers. This paper explores the dynamic landscape of STEM education, with a specific focus on the structure and delivery of four distinct summer programs. These programs – centered around various innovative engineering domains: 3D CAD modeling, REV robotics, engineering design and innovation, and Pinewood Derby® design – provide students with immersive, hands-on experiences that extend beyond traditional classroom settings, developing and encouraging critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and practical skills. Each program is meticulously structured to maximize educational impact. The 3D CAD modeling program provides students with a hands-on exploration of computer-aided design, empowering them to create tangible designs and visualize the interplay of form and function. The REV Robotics program immerses students in the world of robotic systems, emphasizing collaborative problem-solving skills and bridging the gap between classroom theories and practical applications of robotics. The engineering design and innovation program teaches students the entire engineering design process, from conceptualization to prototyping, and places significant emphasis on teamwork and effective communication. The Pinewood Derby® design program combines valuable lessons in engineering, aerodynamics, physics, and craftsmanship within a well-structured framework, as students design and race their own cars. The programs emphasize the importance of hands-on learning, critical thinking, innovation, and collaborative teamwork, which are essential skills for success in the STEM field. This paper emphasizes the structured and engaging delivery of these summer programs in shaping the future of STEM education. The structure is purposefully designed to not only provide students with practical skills but also to instill a passion for STEM fields as they create a pathway for future innovators, engineers, and scientists by expanding the students’ horizons. Through these programs, students gain a deep appreciation for the synergistic power of diverse perspectives and skills, cultivating a new generation of innovative thinkers and problem-solvers.

Citation
Format

Katbeh, T., & Cieslinski, G. B., & Bazzi, H. S., & Abidi, S. M. H. (2024, June), Board 146: Enhancing STEM Education through Engaging Summer Programs: A Multi-Faceted Strategy Paper presented at 2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Portland, Oregon. https://peer.asee.org/46705

TY  - CPAPER
AB  - As the world increasingly relies on STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) innovations, it is essential to prepare the next generation of pioneers. This paper explores the dynamic landscape of STEM education, with a specific focus on the structure and delivery of four distinct summer programs. These programs – centered around various innovative engineering domains: 3D CAD modeling, REV robotics, engineering design and innovation, and Pinewood Derby® design – provide students with immersive, hands-on experiences that extend beyond traditional classroom settings, developing and encouraging critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and practical skills. Each program is meticulously structured to maximize educational impact. The 3D CAD modeling program provides students with a hands-on exploration of computer-aided design, empowering them to create tangible designs and visualize the interplay of form and function. The REV Robotics program immerses students in the world of robotic systems, emphasizing collaborative problem-solving skills and bridging the gap between classroom theories and practical applications of robotics. The engineering design and innovation program teaches students the entire engineering design process, from conceptualization to prototyping, and places significant emphasis on teamwork and effective communication. The Pinewood Derby® design program combines valuable lessons in engineering, aerodynamics, physics, and craftsmanship within a well-structured framework, as students design and race their own cars. The programs emphasize the importance of hands-on learning, critical thinking, innovation, and collaborative teamwork, which are essential skills for success in the STEM field. This paper emphasizes the structured and engaging delivery of these summer programs in shaping the future of STEM education. The structure is purposefully designed to not only provide students with practical skills but also to instill a passion for STEM fields as they create a pathway for future innovators, engineers, and scientists by expanding the students’ horizons. Through these programs, students gain a deep appreciation for the synergistic power of diverse perspectives and skills, cultivating a new generation of innovative thinkers and problem-solvers.
AU  - Tala Katbeh
AU  - Gerald Benjamin Cieslinski
AU  - Hassan Said Bazzi
AU  - Syed Mustafa Husain Abidi
CY  - Portland, Oregon
DA  - 2024/06/23
PB  - ASEE Conferences
TI  - Board 146: Enhancing STEM Education through Engaging Summer Programs: A Multi-Faceted Strategy
UR  - https://peer.asee.org/46705
ER  -