Work-in-progress: Pipeline development through middle school, high school, and community enrichment opportunities

Abstract

An engineering program, in collaboration with a mathematics program in Lawton Oklahoma has developed three annual pipeline development opportunities to strengthen the link between K-12 and a university. The primary goal of these opportunities is to give Southwest Oklahoma middle school, high school, and community access to enrichment programs that increase their interest in engineering and mathematics careers and attract them to majors in engineering and mathematics. It is imperative that middle and high school students learn to apply engineering and mathematics prior to entering college. It is equally important that students feel confident and comfortable on a college campus prior to their first day of class. In addition, it is vital that middle and high school students learn about the employment opportunities within the Southwest Oklahoma Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) job market firsthand and develop strategies for success. The Oklahoma Employment Security Commission, Economic Research and Analysis Division [3], predicts that from 2008 to 2018 there will be a 15.4% growth in architecture and engineering careers and a 14.2% growth in computer and mathematical science careers. The three pipeline development opportunities to be discussed are as follows: first, the CU Engineering and Applied Mathematics Summer Academy for high school students, which engages students in problem solving and critical thinking through creative design; second, It's MathE, a middle school enrichment program that focuses on problem solving and critical thinking through teamwork and mentorship; and third, the CU Empowering Women in Leadership and STEM Conference, which provides an opportunity for the university and surrounding community to learn from successful industry professionals. Each program demonstrates the importance of STEM within the region, engages students at every level to reinforce their confidence as related to mathematics and engineering, and empowers them to pursue careers in mathematics and engineering at and beyond the college level.