Exploring the characteristics of students from a pre-engineering program

Abstract

The number of students graduating with engineering degrees has been decreasing leading to many STEM career vacancies. One possible solution is an earlier exposure to engineering and preparation for the rigorous undergraduate coursework could help increase the number of prepared and qualified individuals to fill these STEM career vacancies. This mixed methods study explored the characteristics of 141 students who completed a high school pre-engineering program the previous school year. Using data from surveys, interviews, and archival data, the findings from this research reveal why students attend a pre-engineering program, what helped them succeed, and an analysis of their personal, cognitive (GPAs), and non-cognitive characteristics (mathematics self-efficacy, grit, and mindset). The results revealed that engineering interests, rigorous coursework, a contextual learning environment, and word-of-mouth attract students to the program. Students contributed success in the program to the overview of engineering the program provided and the knowledgeable and supportive instructors. The analysis of characteristics found that the student population in the program is predominately white males, the program is a smaller and different ethnically diverse school environment than the students' local high school, and mindset scores differ depending on the level of completion. This study leaves behind implications for the administration and instructors of pre-engineering programs to review program marketing, admission's requirements, and the pedagogy of the courses.