INSTRUCT - Integrating NASA science, technology, and research in undergraduate curriculum and training

Abstract

A key factor in increasing the number of underrepresented minorities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines is through the stimulation of the student's interests in these disciplines. Several underrepresented minorities at North Carolina A&T State University are first generation college students in their family, and could fail to understand the applicability of STEM disciplines. In addition, many students find the basic STEM discipline courses to be hard, boring, and do not realize the practical applications of the concepts and techniques that they are learning in their STEM classes. Agencies such as National Aerospace and Space Administration (NASA) require and apply several of the basic STEM content and require an educated workforce trained in the STEM disciplines. In addition, these and other agencies have a mission to increase the number of underrepresented minorities and women in STEM areas. The INSTRUCT project at North Carolina A&T State University focuses on integrating NASA science, technology and research content into the undergraduate curriculum. Our INSTRUCT project strives to significantly enhance and stimulate undergraduate learning in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics by utilizing the relevant STEM content from NASA, sponsored research and education programs from NASA, in conjunction with our university faculty expertise. This paper discusses the INSTRUCT program, current development and integration of the NASA STEM content into the existing course curriculum; teaching and delivery of the enhanced course content, evaluation, outcome and impact on the student stimulation of the learning, understanding, engagement and success. The success and impact of the project includes formative and summative evaluation of the project goals, as well as long term tracking of selected students on the influence of the INSTRUCT program in motivating them to pursue STEM based higher education and careers. This potentially could lead to a long term societal impact by increasing the number of underrepresented minorities in STEM workforce areas. © 2011 American Society for Engineering Education.