Partnerships in Engineering Program Provides Mentorship for Students in Rural Southwestern Virginia

The goal of the CPES Partnerships in Engineering program, sponsored by the NSF is to increase participation in science, technology, engineering and math programs among elementary and middle school students and teachers in rural southwestern Virginia. In Fall 2003, undergraduate and graduate students majoring in electrical, computer, mechanical, and aerospace engineering, engineering science and mechanics and technology education at Virginia Tech (VT) formed a partnership team to foster participation in the FIRST LEGO League program. The program, which can be conducted as an in-school or after-school activity, required students to design, build, program, and test a robot to conduct various missions on a competition table. Students involved in the program also completed research and prepared presentations based on the “Mission to Mars” theme of this year’s challenge. Prior to the competition season, the VT students planned 10 informational workshops and demonstrations for teachers, parents and students throughout southwestern Virginia. During Fall 2003, the VT students worked with more than 70 students from 10 schools in southwestern Virginia, providing mentorship and teaching basic science and engineering concepts. In September 2003, the CPES team also hosted a workshop for teachers, offering presentations on engineering concepts, demonstrations, and providing a forum for teachers to ask questions and share ideas. In November 2003 and February 2004, students participated in regional and state tournaments in which their robots were tested in head-to-head competitions with other teams. Benefits of the program were not limited to pre-college students and teachers. As one undergraduate engineering student mentor noted, “I think that being part of this team has made me realize how much I really do eventually want to teach . . .” and “I hope there is a way I can do both [research and teaching] eventually.”