Framework For Instructional Modules For The Msip Project "Working In Teams To Enhance Pre Engineering Curriculum"

The goals of the Minority in Science Program Project, “Working in Teams to Enhance PreEngineering Curriculum” are encompassed in the overall objective of increasing the success of minority students in gatekeeper engineering and science courses. The mechanisms proposed to obtain this goal include the development of a number of instructional modules for preengineering and science courses that will specifically address many of the barriers encountered by minority students in these courses. A number of instructional modules are being developed for each of the following college level courses, that have been identified as gatekeeper courses for minority students: Calculus, preCalculus I, Physics, Chemistry, and four of the introductory engineering courses, Statics, Dynamics, Engineering Graphics, and Introduction to Engineering. Most of these courses are offered in community colleges that have pre-engineering and/or pre-engineering technology programs and serve a large number of minority students. This paper presents the conceptual design of the module format and the rationale behind this design. There are several unique aspects to the conceptual design of the modules that will be presented and explored in detail in this paper and presentation. Finally, examples from some of our first modules will be shared.