Implementation of aNear-peer Mentoring program between a high school technology class and a university senior design engineering class

Abstract

Near-peer mentoring has been shown to result in improvements in student academic engagement and achievement in STEM fields due to the synergy between mentors and mentees. This paper discusses the elements of a program established between Independence High school (IHS) students in San Jose, CA and San Jose State University (SJSU) Mechanical Engineering students to expand hands-on education and to encourage a STEM pathway for technical education of both the IHS and SJSU students. This paper outlines an informal program where technically inclined high school students who are drawn to automotive technology work with SJSU seniors working on their senior design projects to design, build and test a mechanical device, tool, or machine having a useful purpose. This is the fourth year of collaboration, which focuses on automotive and transportation technology. Although numbers are too small for formal assessment, experience has shown that numerous high school students have applied to schools of higher education, and several have specifically enrolled in SJSU. Additionally, the SJSU students have benefitted from the direct hands-on help building their projects and the opportunity to teach younger students.