Felicity Bilow|Jan DeWaters|Gordon D. Hoople
Work In Progress: Examining the Impacts of a Sociotechnical Approach to Energy Education on Engineering Students’ Sense of Belonging and Attitudes Toward Engineering
Bridge University|University of San Diego|Clarkson University|Bridge University|University of San Diego|Clarkson University|Bridge University|Clarkson University|University of San Diego
abstract paper submitted work progress explores using sociotechnical approach two sophomorelevel energy courses two different universities affect students energyrelated knowledge attitudes feelings selfefficacy using data pre post survey energy engineering education often taught lecture based setting students learn used generate energy energy created distributed without giving much thought broader aspects energy ie social cultural environmental factors1 however one energy course taught clarkson university cu another course taught university san diego usd provide two alternative ways teaching engineering students energy within broader societal context introduction energy systems taught cu students introduced fundamental energy principles examine energy flows national global scale explore various energy conversion systems research discourse course integrated approach energy taught usd takes holistic look energy generated used emphasis helping students make connections energy engineering lived experience survey used study combined questions energy literacy survey engineering attitudes survey included questions students attitudes towards engineering feelings selfefficacy technical energy knowledge survey administered students universities taking respective course spring 2020 semester preliminary results pre post survey show statistically significant gain energy technical knowledge students universities cu pre 75 post 82 paired ttest p0001 usd pre 66 post 75 paired ttest p001 analysis students responses questions attitudes towards engineering feelings selfefficacy reveal general trends suggest approach teaching could impact increasing students feelings selfefficacy attitudes toward engineering pronounced impact females compared males yet insufficient data draw statistically meaningful conclusions statement preliminary findings propose use sociotechnical approach energy education effective enhancing students knowledge energy future research needed evaluate impact women engineering students views attitudes towards careers engineering references nelson hoople g mejia j chen lord 2020 june energy examining engineering students conceptions energy paper presented 2020 asee virtual annual conference content access virtual online 10182601235500