FIRSTROBOTICSASAMODELFOR.ppt

;FIRST ROBOTICS AS A MODEL FOR EXPERIENTIAL PROBLEM-BASED LEARNING: A COMPARISON OF STUDENT ATTITUDES AND INTERESTS IN SCIENCE, MATHEMATICS, ENGINEERING, AND TECHNOLOGY;INTRODUCTION Significance of the Study As reported by the Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS), students in the United States are lagging behind other nations in the areas of mathematics and science (U.S. Department of Education, 1999). Undergraduate admissions requirements for engineering schools require students to have a solid background in mathematics and science (U.S. Department of Labor, 2002). United States Department of Labor statistics also indicate that there will be the need for 20 percent more engineers by the end of this decade (Southern Regional Education Board, 2001). ;INTRODUCTION Significance of the Study The number of students who plan to major in engineering upon college entrance has continued to decrease, ACT Policy Report (Noeth, Cruce Harmston, 2003). Students enrolled in engineering programs hit a 17-year low in 1999, according to the National Society of Professional Engineers. Enrollment in engineering technology programs in 2000 was about half what it was in 1990 (Southern Regional Education Board, 2001). ;Statement of the Problem The problem addressed in this study was whether student participation in the six-week challenge of the FIRST Robotics Competition had an effect on high school students’ attitudes and interest in science, mathematics, engineering, and technology. The possible relationships between the six-week challenge of the FIRST Robotics Competition and high school students’ attitudes and interest in science, mathematics, engineering, and technology is uncertain and may be important to the overall success of students in high school courses, post-secondary education and related careers. ;Purpose of the Study The purpose of this study was to investigate whether student participation in the six-week challeng