scholarly journals A Comparison of students’ attitudes and attainment on an enterprise module for scientists and engineers

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Phillips
Keyword(s):  
Engineering Students ◽  
Subject Area ◽  
Science And Engineering ◽  
Subject Knowledge ◽  
Qualitative Feedback ◽  
Enterprise Education ◽  
Assessment Techniques ◽  
Scientists And Engineers ◽  
Students Attitudes ◽  
A Company

We compared data from an enterprise course aimed at scientists and engineers using the Unit Evaluation Questionnaire, coursework marks and qualitative feedback quotes with the aim of identifying any issues for embedding enterprise and entrepreneurship units in science and engineering degrees. Enterprise courses in many universities are often offered as units within other degree programmes which fulfill chartered bodies requirements for enterprise education and for employability. Whilst broadly accepted to be successful, others have reported students views on enterprise education be mixed as they feel its out of their comfort zone, and some are not open to studying units outside of their main subject, however we found student results and satisfaction to be at least as good as faculty and departmental norms. Qualitative comments suggest despite initial misgivings, they enjoy applying their subject knowledge to entrepreneurial issues and appreciate it not being a generic course. Students were not adversely affected by different assessment techniques and performed similarly to departmental/faculty averages. We found that it was key for courses to be tailored to science and engineering students such as by allowing a company from their subject area for their assignments and giving science examples which gave better engagement and feedback.

Bridging the Gap: Science and Technology Policy in the (Bio)Engineering Classroom 

2020 ◽  
Vol 142 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurel Kuxhaus ◽  
Arthur J. Michalek ◽  
Stephen M. Martin ◽  
Jeremy L. Steinbacher
Keyword(s):  
Policy Process ◽  
Policy Making ◽  
Engineering Students ◽  
Technology Policy ◽  
Good News ◽  
Technical Expertise ◽  
Science And Engineering ◽  
Policy Making Process ◽  
Scientists And Engineers ◽  
Bio Engineering

Abstract Engineers and scientists have a key role to play in the creation and implementation of government policy. Policymakers need access to the technical expertise that is critical to our national progress and security; however, this need is often overlooked by engineering students, faculty, and professionals. Even though a substantial fraction of scientists and engineers end up pursuing jobs in government, engineering curricula do not usually provide any background in policy and for many, the policy-making process remains a black box. The good news is that there are some simple ways to make it more accessible and to encourage increased involvement. In this paper, we provide a brief overview of the federal policy-making process and present a collection of classroom learning activities that link policy-making and implementation to science and engineering. These can easily be added to existing courses without wholesale curricular changes. We also suggest professional development activities for engineers at all stages of their careers and discuss ways for engineers to become involved in the policy process. Introducing learning and career development activities focused on science and engineering policy will better prepare engineers to provide needed technical expertise to policymakers. It may also encourage engineers to consider careers in local, state, and federal government.

scholarly journals Using Alumni Entrepreneurs Feedback to shape University Entrepreneurship Education

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert A Phillips
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Subject Area ◽  
Know How ◽  
University Entrepreneurship ◽  
Extra Curricular Activities ◽  
Enterprise Education ◽  
Academic Courses ◽  
A Company ◽  
As Effects ◽  
Innovation And Entrepreneurship

It is accepted by most agencies that enterprise education is important for students and for the economy, however it is often difficult to measure the effectiveness of this education as effects can take many years to be shown. We have collected qualitative data from over 300 alumni entrepreneurs, reflecting on their time at the Univeristy of Manchester, which suggested that their experiences of enterprise education were mixed and that they would have benefitted from more practical courses rather than more academically interesting topics. For example they wanted training on how to register a company, understanding tax, employment law and basic book keeping, rather than how to generate ideas and theories of innovation and entrepreneurship. There is a clear need to shift some enterprise education to cater for those who have an idea now and need practical advice, or may have an idea in the future from their subject area and need to know how to proceed formally. On curricular courses are more likely to be academically and theory driven, especially with the need to provide appropriate assessment for students, whilst it is often the extra curricular activities which provide more practical details in how to start a business, which may not be open to all students, or may not be well advertised. Since many students don’t start a business until later in life, with activity peaking in the 35-60 year old age group, they often do not take advantage of  these opportunities while at university, should they be available. Our paper shows there needs to be a better mix of practical with academic courses to provide for alumni entrepreneurs’ needs to allow them to start a business whether it be straight form university or later on in life.

Future Directions in International Science Education

1997 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 233-239 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick Holmes
Keyword(s):  
Science Education ◽  
Engineering Education ◽  
Science And Engineering ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
International Dimension ◽  
The World ◽  
Scientists And Engineers ◽  
Science And Engineering Education

The international dimension of science and engineering education is of paramount importance and merits serious consideration of the coherent skill set that is required to allow scientists and engineers more readily to transport themselves and their work to other locations in the world. 

Correlation between sustainability education and engineering students’ attitudes towards sustainability

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 459-472 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kuok Ho Daniel Tang
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Engineering Students ◽  
Sustainability Education ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Fundamental Knowledge ◽  
Students Attitudes ◽  
Development Course ◽  
Beliefs And Attitudes ◽  
Insight Into

Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate the impacts of a sustainable development course on the beliefs, attitudes and intentions of a cohort of engineering students in a university in Miri, Malaysia, towards sustainability. Design/methodology/approach Questionnaire survey was conducted among the cohort of students encompassing the three facets mentioned. Findings The respondents expressed low to medium agreement towards all the survey items related to beliefs, attitudes and intentions. A sense of moral obligation towards sustainability is linked to higher sustainability awareness, willingness to safeguard sustainability and a sense of responsibility towards sustainable development. The respondents were generally perceived to have fundamental knowledge of sustainable development. Research limitations/implications This study shows that a sustainable development course called Engineering Sustainable Development offered in a university in Miri, produced positive impacts on the beliefs, attitudes and intentions of the engineering students towards sustainable development. Sustainable development courses are generally instrumental to impart the value and practices of sustainability among university students. Originality/value As limited correlational studies on whether sustainable development courses effectively shape the beliefs and attitudes of students have been previously conducted, this study provides insight into the effectiveness of one of such courses and how the course can be further improved to enhance its effectiveness.

An Entrepreneurship Education Co-Curricular Program to Stimulate Entrepreneurial Mindset in Engineering Students

MRS Advances ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (31-32) ◽  
pp. 1673-1679 ◽  
Author(s):  
Moraima De Hoyos-Ruperto ◽  
Cristina Pomales-García ◽  
Agnes Padovani ◽  
O. Marcelo Suárez
Keyword(s):  
Educational Program ◽  
Engineering Students ◽  
Materials Science ◽  
Core Competencies ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Entrepreneurship Education ◽  
Student Experiences ◽  
Evaluation Tool ◽  
Early Assessment ◽  
Science And Engineering

ABSTRACTThere is a need to expand the fundamental skills in science and engineering to include innovation & entrepreneurship (I&E) skills as core competencies. To better prepare the future Nanotechnology workforce, the University of Puerto Rico-Mayagüez Nanotechnology Center, broadened the educational content beyond traditional skills in science and engineering. The Center, offers a rich educational program for materials and nano scientists that aims to create the next generation of knowledgeable, experienced professionals, and successful entrepreneurs, who can develop value-added innovations that can spur economic growth and continue to impact the quality of life for society. Within the educational program an Entrepreneurship Education Co-Curricular Program (EEP) incorporates I&E training into the Materials Science, Nanotechnology, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) faculty and student experiences. The EEP consists of a two-year series of workshops that seek to develop an entrepreneurial mindset, including five key topics: 1) Generation of Ideas, 2) Entrepreneurial Vision, 3) Early Assessment of Ideas, 4) Identification of Opportunities, and 5) Strategic Thinking. The EEP goals, target audience, and implementation strategy, is described with an evaluation tool to assess the program’s success in developing an entrepreneurial mindset.

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