Improving STEM Pathways through Realistic Scenarios, Analysis & Design and Hands-On Experience: A Pilot Curriculum for Hypersonic Systems: 20-000000467
Abstract
Hypersonic technologies, especially the ability for powered and sustained hypersonic flight in the atmosphere, holds the promise for makes this an engaging topic for students at all levels. The University of Notre Dame (UND) therefore proposes to create a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) pathway based around hypersonic systems that will utilize state-of-the-art pedagogical techniques to motivate broad scientific pursuits. This will incorporate a number of existing courses and handson laboratory experiences in the UND College of Engineering at all levels, as well as the development of special topics courses that place an emphasis on multi-disciplinary hypersonic systems design. In addition to in-person instruction, an emphasis will be placed on web-baseddissemination of lecture material and laboratory experiences. The proposed STEM pathway is designed to partner with the Notre Dame Hypersonic Systems Initiative (HSI) that engages broad expertise in engineering and science to address the technical challenges for developing efficient, hypersonic flight vehicles. The HSI is designed to foster a systems design approach that recognizes the interdependence of the different design elements and proviss-cutting research that pools resources, like the STEM pathway, and fosters broad science capabilities. Importantly, it seeks to engage real-world challenges through Navy partnerships that not only can build an initial capacity of hypersonic workforce, but to scale organically to other Navy labs/University teams. Collaboration with NSWC Crane, Navy Test Pilot School will expose UND students across Engineering Departments and Navy ROTC program to real-world challenges, and engagement with Navy STEM professionals and their careers. Coordination with an existing STEM Program aimed at military veteran education at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte will furtherbroaden the impact to the Navy. Throughout the STEM pathway, the effectiveness of this approach towards growing student interest, confidence and scientific learning at all levels, will be assessed. Of special interest will be its impact on Navy S&T career pursuits, and the ability to scale organically to other Navy Labs/University teams. Metrics and evaluation will utilize the resources and standards of the ND Kaneb Center for Teaching and Learning, and the ND Center for STEM Education. The Kaneb Center offers services for formative and summative assessment, engagement survey creation, and general consultative advice that aims to ensure a project accomplishes its range of goals and objectives. The program will incorporate multiple methods triangulation) to obtain effective assessment. This will include (1) the program at-large, (2) the course and instructor evaluations, and (3) the student performance. Formative evaluations will be designed to provide rapid feedback to allow instructors to ``tune" the course material and/or activities to address immediate deficiencies. One form of feedback will come from student interviews, as well as standard metrics of homework, lab report and quiz performance. Akey assessment metric of merit will be student feedback on the appropriate level of a course in the program, on its relevance to hypersonic systems, and on how it is perceived to meet DoD objectives in hypersonics. Summative evaluation will be based on the established STEM Semantics Survey that is designed to qualitatively assess student interest as well as quantitatively measure increase in level of interest and inspiration in the broader field of hypersonic systems, as well as in the potential for a related Naval career.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Aug 05, 2021
- Source ID
- N000142112522
Entities
People
- Thomas Corke
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- University of Notre Dame