Human Factors and Engineering Design High School Summer Workshop

Abstract

Enrollment trends and demographics predict that the US will experience a shortfall of over 500,000 engineers within the next twenty years. The engineering community, industry and academia alike, must work together to develop programs that will motivate young men and women to pursue technical careers. The purpose of this paper is to review an annual two week high school summer workshop developed by the University of Idaho College of Engineering. Each summer selected high school students live on campus for two weeks and attend specially developed engineering classes on topics such as Engineering Mechanics, Computer Aided Design, and Human Factors and Engineering Design. Working in teams of 3 to 4, the students utilize these newly developed skills in order to solve a challenging real-world human factors engineering design problem. Student fees for the 1990 workshop were $350 which included room and board as well as university registration for two semester credit hours. Industrial and private donations helped to defray the instructional cost and to offer significant scholarship support. Student response to the workshop has been overwhelmingly positive. Suggestions for developing similar programs at other Universities are offered.