Title: Educational Value of Engineering Design Activities in the Science Classroom

Goal:

The goal of this research is to determine and analyze the effects of using engineering design activities and instructional technologies, such as LEGO demonstrations, Vernier tools and computer simulations on students motivation and understanding of science and mathematics concepts. The study will investigate whether a new pedagogy that includes engineering design activities is more effective in engaging non-science students in the learning of science concepts than the previous pedagogy (which relies more on the in class lectures and textbook assignments). Students who will take part in this research will be enrolled in a remedial college-level Physical Science course, whose content is much like high school, and majority of the participants will be non-science majors.

Methodology:

The research instruments will consist of student surveys, class-work, interviews, and observations of the students in the classroom. The primary goal of the research is to measure whether the new pedagogy impacts learning and attitudes.

Expected Results:

Desired outcomes of the new pedagogy are to increase students’ engagement in the learning process, to help them conceptualize science topics and to better their performance on the problem-solving tests.

Supporting Evidence:

To be gathered

Related Literature:

To be read focusing on active learning and interdisciplinary approaches to teach science and mathematics.

Associated Web Links:

The Center for Engineering Educational Outreach

Physics Experiments with LEGO