First-hand Experience with Engineering Design and Career Interest in Engineering: An Informal STEM Education Case Study

Abstract

This study describes the characteristics of an informal learning setting where engineering design challenges were provided to high school students in a metropolitan city in Turkey. Active engagement in engineering design challenges has been presented as a means for students to foster their interest in engineering. The nature of a robotics summer camp was distinguished from a regular science classroom in terms of goals, activities, and social structure, indicating that students were provided with more first-hand engineering experiences which are not a part of conventional science classrooms. In this regard, the main objective of the study is not to argue that robotics summer camps outperform science classrooms. Instead, this study utilizes the nature of a regular science classroom to suggest designing a sound science learning environment that incorporates engineering tasks and designs.School is accepted as a formal learning setting where students perform their social activities and make sense of their learning and understanding to seek ways of participating and being in the world (Verma, Puvirajah, & Webb, 2015). However, regular school environments discourage students from being more engaged and developing responsibility for their learning, which demotivates their understanding (Gardner, 1991). Additionally, learning is not limited to school activities, as individuals spend most of their time outside of the school environment (Bransford, Brown, & Cocking, 2000). Their learning mostly takes place away from school (Falk & Dierking, 2010). For this reason, I chose a robotics summer camp with no intention of replacing in-school activities with summer camp activities. This study can motivate one to seek how learning occurs in both learning settings and understand in what ways a sound learning environment can be designed within the context of science.Informal learning takes place outside the school environment. Included among informal learning settings are science clubs, museums, zoos, planetariums, national parks, summer camps, and natural settings (Falk & Dierking, 2010; Simsek, 2011). Such settings allow individuals to perform activities and learn topics in the presence of a teacher or more experienced person within a flexible environment (Gerber, Marek, & Cavallo, 2001). In informal learning settings, individuals gain experiences which are contextual, personal, relevant, collaborative, non-linear, and open-ended (National Research Council [NRC], 2009; p. 11). Informal learning experiences have the potential to encourage individuals to make sense of societal issues; increase interest in science, technology, mathematics, and engineering; and support their curiosity and creativity in dealing with the challenges of everyday life (NRC, 2009). More specifically, informal learning experiences can support individuals in developing engineering problem-solving and design skills as they engage in engineering challenges. In turn, individuals can pursue a career in the fields of engineering (Apedoe, Reynolds, Ellefson, & Schunn, 2008; National Academy of Engineering and National Research Council, 2009; Sadler, Coyle, & Schwartz, 2000). Therefore, this study aims to highlight the importance of informal learning settings for individuals who are about to enter a university with the desire to pursue an engineering degree by eliciting the characteristics of a summer camp and the general picture of a science classroom.Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education has gained more attention in the US and EU countries over the last decade. Many states in the US have started to use Next Generation Science Standards [NGSS] in classes (NGSS Lead States, 2013). NGSS provides a framework where engineering and science standards are integrated so students can experience engineering design challenges with scientific content. The main idea behind this can be related to STEM programs having less of an emphasis on engineering. …