High school students' attitudes to and knowledge about engineering

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

12-1-2003

Abstract

The demand for engineers is expected to increase both nationally and in New Jersey. The Pre-Engineering Instructional and Outreach Program, established to enlarge the future pool of engineers in New Jersey, focuses on implementing pre-engineering curricula in middle and high schools and informing students, teachers, parents, and school counselors about the rewards of engineering careers. Along with increased enrollment in college engineering programs, successful outcomes include increased knowledge about engineering careers and more positive attitudes to engineering in high school students. A survey to measure high school students': 1) attitudes to engineering, 2) engineering skills self-efficacy, 3) self-confidence in academic abilities, 4) knowledge about engineering and 5) academic history was developed. The current paper describes the development of the survey. Preliminary results suggest that even students who have positive attitudes to engineering and are considering studying engineering know little about engineering careers and what engineers do.

Identifier

1642438224 (Scopus)

Publication Title

Proceedings Frontiers in Education Conference

ISSN

01905848

First Page

F2

Last Page

A12

Volume

2

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