S-STEM Student Reflections and IDP Process

Laura Kasson Fiss; John L. Irwin; Sarah Tan

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Conference: 2021 ASEE Virtual Annual Conference Content Access
Location: Virtual Conference
Publication Date: July 26, 2021
Start Date: July 26, 2021
End Date: July 19, 2022
Conference Session: STEM Issues
Tagged Division: Engineering Technology
Tagged Topic: Diversity
Page Count: 38
DOI: 10.18260/1-2--37693
Permanent URL: https://strategy.asee.org/37693
Download Count: 419

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Paper Authors

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Laura Kasson Fiss Michigan Technological University

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Laura Kasson Fiss is a Research Assistant Professor in the Pavlis Honors College at Michigan Technological University. She holds a PhD from Indiana University in English (2013). Her work has appeared in ASEE, FYEE, the NCHC Monograph Series, and elsewhere. Research areas include reflection, communication, curriculum design, and Victorian humor.

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John L. Irwin Michigan Technological University

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As Professor for Mechanical Engineering Technology at Michigan Technological University, Dr. Irwin teaches courses in Product Design & Development, Statics and Strength of Materials, Parametric Modeling, and Senior Design. Research interests include STEM education, where as PI for Improving Teacher Quality grants (2010 & 2013) he has developed and implemented professional development courses for K-12 science teachers to implement inquiry-based learning while utilizing computer simulations and 3D printing in their classrooms to help solve engineering problems.

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Sarah Tan Michigan Technological University

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Sarah Tan is a Research Assistant Professor in the Pavlis Honors College at Michigan Technological University. She received a MBA degree and a Ph.D. degree in Applied Cognitive Sciences and Human factors Program both from Michigan Tech. Her research program involves using complementary methods (e.g., statistical modeling and analytics, psychological assessment) to evaluate how individual differences are important and impact behaviors at a cultural, social, and behavioral level. She has served as a project evaluator in the multiple NSF funded projects.

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Abstract

Student reflections and using individual development plans (IDPs) for mentoring have been an integral part of an NSF S-STEM project focusing on students pursuing baccalaureate degrees in Engineering Technology (ET). The Engineering Technology Scholars – IMProving Retention and Student Success (ETS-IMPRESS) project provides financial support and offers students several high-impact curricular and co-curricular activities to increase the success of academically talented students. This interdisciplinary project brings together the Electrical Engineering Technology, and Computer Network and System Administration programs in the College of Computing and the College of Engineering’s Mechanical Engineering Technology program, with programs in the Pavlis Honors College, an inclusive and unique college designed around high-impact educational practices.

An IDP is commonly used in business and industry to assist employees in meeting short- and long-term goals in their professional career. This tool has been adapted for use in the educational setting in a faculty mentoring capacity. The ET program advisors assign the freshman or transfer S-STEM student scholars with faculty mentors to match their area of research interest. The faculty mentors meet with the students a minimum of three to four times a year to review their IDP, make suggestions, and provide input for reaching their goals. The goals of the IDP process are to develop a deeper more meaningful relationship between the advisor and student, reflect and develop a strategy for the scholar’s educational and career success, and manage expectations and identify opportunities. In the initial meeting there are several prompts for the student to write about their goals, strengths, weaknesses and perceived challenges. In subsequent meetings the advisor and student revisit the IDP to discuss progress towards those goals.

This study will describe some outcomes of the IDP process providing specific examples from each of the ET programs. Although it is difficult to measure the effect of these relationships, it is one of the high impact practices that have been noted as increasing student engagement and retention. The consequences of COVID-19 introducing a virtual environment to the IDP process will also be examined from the viewpoint of both student and advisor. An advantage of the IDP meetings for students is that advisors may provide personal business connections for internship opportunities and/or research projects that otherwise would not be discussed in a typical office hour or classroom session.

One of the innovations of the ETS-IMPRESS program was requiring participation in the Honors Pathway Program, which generally emphasizes intrinsic motivation (and does not use GPA in admissions or awarding of credentials). The honors program consists of three seminar classes and four experiential components; for all of these, students write reflections designed to promote their development of self-authorship. Preliminary survey results show no difference between ETS and other honors students in the areas of student motivation, intention to persist, and professional skill development. ETS students see a closer link between their current major and their future career than non-ETS honors students. A comparative analysis of reflections will investigate students’ perceptions of the program’s effect.

Citation
Format

Fiss, L. K., & Irwin, J. L., & Tan, S. (2021, July), S-STEM Student Reflections and IDP Process Paper presented at 2021 ASEE Virtual Annual Conference Content Access, Virtual Conference. 10.18260/1-2--37693

TY - CPAPER
AB - Student reflections and using individual development plans (IDPs) for mentoring have been an integral part of an NSF S-STEM project focusing on students pursuing baccalaureate degrees in Engineering Technology (ET). The Engineering Technology Scholars – IMProving Retention and Student Success (ETS-IMPRESS) project provides financial support and offers students several high-impact curricular and co-curricular activities to increase the success of academically talented students. This interdisciplinary project brings together the Electrical Engineering Technology, and Computer Network and System Administration programs in the College of Computing and the College of Engineering’s Mechanical Engineering Technology program, with programs in the Pavlis Honors College, an inclusive and unique college designed around high-impact educational practices.

An IDP is commonly used in business and industry to assist employees in meeting short- and long-term goals in their professional career. This tool has been adapted for use in the educational setting in a faculty mentoring capacity. The ET program advisors assign the freshman or transfer S-STEM student scholars with faculty mentors to match their area of research interest. The faculty mentors meet with the students a minimum of three to four times a year to review their IDP, make suggestions, and provide input for reaching their goals. The goals of the IDP process are to develop a deeper more meaningful relationship between the advisor and student, reflect and develop a strategy for the scholar’s educational and career success, and manage expectations and identify opportunities. In the initial meeting there are several prompts for the student to write about their goals, strengths, weaknesses and perceived challenges. In subsequent meetings the advisor and student revisit the IDP to discuss progress towards those goals.

This study will describe some outcomes of the IDP process providing specific examples from each of the ET programs. Although it is difficult to measure the effect of these relationships, it is one of the high impact practices that have been noted as increasing student engagement and retention. The consequences of COVID-19 introducing a virtual environment to the IDP process will also be examined from the viewpoint of both student and advisor. An advantage of the IDP meetings for students is that advisors may provide personal business connections for internship opportunities and/or research projects that otherwise would not be discussed in a typical office hour or classroom session.

One of the innovations of the ETS-IMPRESS program was requiring participation in the Honors Pathway Program, which generally emphasizes intrinsic motivation (and does not use GPA in admissions or awarding of credentials). The honors program consists of three seminar classes and four experiential components; for all of these, students write reflections designed to promote their development of self-authorship. Preliminary survey results show no difference between ETS and other honors students in the areas of student motivation, intention to persist, and professional skill development. ETS students see a closer link between their current major and their future career than non-ETS honors students. A comparative analysis of reflections will investigate students’ perceptions of the program’s effect.

AU - Laura Kasson Fiss
AU - John L. Irwin
AU - Sarah Tan
CY - Virtual Conference
DA - 2021/07/26
PB - ASEE Conferences
TI - S-STEM Student Reflections and IDP Process
UR - https://strategy.asee.org/37693
DO - 10.18260/1-2--37693
ER -