Learning to be a Real Engineer: Service Learning Engagement and STEM Education in Space Grant Programs

Abstract

The Indiana Space Grant Consortium (INSGC) is one of 52 consortia funded by the NASA Office of Education to create a network of cooperative and interdisciplinary programs to promote science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education. Although the National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program (Space Grant) is primarily a higher education effort, there are many opportunities to link college and university students to K-12 outreach and education programs. In recent years, INSGC has developed a strong commitment to STEM service learning and the support of engagement projects linking university and K-12 STEM activities. Service learning is a process of undergraduate education that encourages and supports university student activities in partnership with non-profit and charitable organizations. Led by the Purdue Space Day, Engineering Projects in Community Service (EPICS), and FIRST Robotics programs, INSGC has a portfolio of projects where university students' primary service learning customers are K-12 students in formal and informal learning settings. Space Day programs provide daylong informal learning opportunities to over 500 students in grades 3-8 each year; FIRST Robotics students help support and organize Fall Lego League and Spring Robotics competitions that touch thousands of student team members, teachers, and others from grades 6-12. A suite of EPICS projects have included development of a Mars Rover model highlighted at the Indiana State Fair, and continue with plans for an architectural landscape model of the solar system. Assessments of university student participants in these service learning efforts have shown increased commitment and involvement in both STEM outreach and their own professional engineering paths.