A survey of the literature reveals a major problem in retaining STEM students due to the perceived disconnect between coursework and engineering practice. This effect appears more pronounced for underrepresented groups. The Problem-based Initiatives for Powerful Engagement and Learning In Naval Engineering and Sciences (PIPELINES) is a collaborative project between the University of California Santa Barbara and the Naval Engineering and Expeditionary Warfare Center at Port Hueneme, California. By engaging undergraduate students to work in teams on real-world, interdisciplinary Navy design problems, PIPELINES supports students’ development of career-relevant skills while supporting students’ abilities to (a) critically reflect on their STEM knowledge and application capabilities, (b) identify resources needed for advancement in such abilities, and (c) develop strategies to support their academic achievement towards advanced STEM studies and careers. The program involves an ethnographic methodology to make visible students’ perspectives in engineering thinking, in order to develop effective strategies for STEM outreach and recruitment of underrepresented populations, including minorities and veterans.<br/>PIPELINES is an example of how practitioners and researchers in STEM and education can work together towards achieving their respective goals, all of which are focused on increasing a currently dwindling STEM workforce in the U.S. In this effort, PIPELINES has focused on attracting community college and military veteran students in particular, seen as an untapped pool of talent with a transformative potential on the future U.S. economy. A number of studies have shown that, during their years in service, veterans often gain advanced technical skills in addition to strong leadership and time management skills: all qualities that make them excellent candidates as future scientists or engineers.<br/>In this presentation, we discuss findings from our first three years of running the program and highlight strategies we have found effective in developing and running such a multi-tiered, interdisciplinary effort, in which each actor (educators, researchers, and Navy scientists and engineers) brings complementary knowledge and skills that are key to PIPELINES programmatic and recruitment success.

Workforce learning through a university-community college-government partnership for STEM professional success for underrepresented populations

2019 Fall National Meeting

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