Intersections Between Science And Engineering Education, And Recruitment Of Female And Native American Students

Authors will present an extensive overview of women and minorities in science, technology, engineering and math; provide discussion of the importance of multicontextuality as a tool in the use of effective pedagogy, particularly in regards to Native American women in a pre-college program and present information on the successful development of the Northern Arizona University STEP UP (Summer Technology and Engineering Program and University Preview) Engineering camp for high school age female students. The Northern Arizona University (NAU) Multicultural Engineering Program embarked upon the development and implementation of the STEP UP (Summer Technology and Engineering Program and University Preview) camp for high school age female students. After a pilot year in 2005, the STEP UP camp implemented a full scale camp in summer 2006. Garnering support for the first ever engineering camp on the NAU campus through college and university support as well as faculty and industry support; the STEP UP camp was a success. The majority of young women in attendance were Native American, which presented an opportunity to positively influence their pre-college decisions and provide an access point to considering career paths toward science, technology, engineering and math disciplines. Assessment, evaluation and tracking are a part of this initiative. This paper will discuss the successful dynamics used and pedagogical approach toward nurturing the female participants’ interests in engineering and science through hands-on activities, personal and team dynamics, faculty and current engineering/science student instruction and industry participation; the creation of personal connection to the Multicultural Engineering Program and the relevance of this for female recruitment and retention towards STEM disciplines will also be discussed. In addition, practical information regarding the scoping, development, trial and error, and full implementation will be discussed. In addition, this paper will address possibilities for the future of recruitment and retention of female engineering and science students at Northern Arizona University and the sustainability of the existing program.