epics-high.ecn.purdue/

1. “High Schools Improving Lives with Engineering Projects in Community Service-Learning” Design Grow Prepare Serve Explore Succeed http://epics-high.ecn.purdue.edu/ Pamela TurnerEPICS High School Program CoordinatorPurdue University

2. Characteristics of Service-Learning • Service– students participate in service for the underserved in a community • Academically-based – reinforces or connects with the subject material of the academic course • Reciprocity – Mutual needs, mutual learning • Reflection (Analysis, metacognition) – Students reflect (analyze) on their experience and learning

3. service-LEARNING Learning goals are primary; service outcomes are secondary SERVICE-learning Service outcomes are primary; learning goals are secondary service learning Service and learning goals are separate SERVICE-LEARNING Service and learning goals have equal weight; each enhances the other for all participants Service vs Learning

4. The EPICS Consortium • EPICS programs at 19 universities • 34 High schools in five states • California, Indiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York

5. Motivation:Connecting engineering with people and local communities • While interest in engineering is declining, civic engagement among teenagers is high • 83% of high school seniors entering college participated in community service or service-learning • Female and minority students more inclined to continue service • Many honors diplomas require service • Service-learning in high schools rarely connected with engineering/science/math • EPICS provides an opportunity to tap into this wave of volunteerism

6. Impact:Changing the Equation • 34 Schools Participating • 1100+ Student Participants • 42% Female Participants • 40% Underrepresented Participants • Over 50% in Free & Reduced Lunch Programs Included in the mission of the EPICS High program is outreach to underrepresented populations. Reports from schools in October 2008 show the following impact:

7. Impact:VariedProgram Models EPICS High is creating a variety of models to replicate throughout the nation. Of the 34 existing schools, current models are: • 10 Rural Schools • 7 Suburban Schools • 17 Urban Schools • 30 In-school Programs • 4 After-schools Programs

8. Project Example:Caseville SchoolsHuron County Intermediate Schools in Michigan Wastewater diversion “green” field maintenance project Project OverviewUse, up to now, discarded Department of Public Works water treatment plant, filter rinse water to: • Irrigate community & school ball fields • Establish school based experimental garden • Establish school based experimental aquaculture program to raise and release indigenous fish species in 2 local waterways • collect, refine and correlate learning objectives for subprojects listed above

9. Project Example:McCutcheon High SchoolTippecanoe County, Indiana Guidance Department ESL Assistant Software • Computers give welcome message and common task menu for Hispanic speakers entering McCutcheon • Main menu allows parent/student to select from options – enrollment, withdrawal, questions commonly asked • Completed computerized forms then revert to English for counselors/school use

10. Project Example:High Tech High San Diego, California • 114 Seniors participating in semester long program List of Project Underway: • Recyclable materials storage unit • Modular back drop system • Custom stage stairs for animals • Light writer pendulum • Ball return system for a gravity well • Mobil art cart • Fish pin cover system • Sign storage and transportation cart • Custom sports equipment rack • Climbing tree structure Raptor Cage • 15 projects have already been delivered by • High Tech High affecting an estimated 1650 people Motorized Copy Holder

11. Project Example:Fredrick Douglass AcademyHarlem, New York Projects Underway in 3 Areas Bioengineering: Aquaponics Tank in Harlem Senior Center Environmental Engineering: Design water quality sampling station for the East River Robotics: High school students are using their robotics program to work with middle and elementary age students in a mentoring program In Addition: Developing a system for students to partner with elementary school teachers and create projects to help them teach science The Frederick Douglass Academy

12. Project Example:Pacific Ridge School Carlsbad, California Pacific Ridge School Campus Stewardship Project • Recycling auditing/setup/maintenance • Worm bin setup/maintenance (food composting) • Designed and constructed athletic equipment storage box, garden equipment storage shed, and field-side benches • Designed and planted PRS garden (using worm compost) Elementary School Outreach Project • Formed partnership with local elementary school • Performed recycling/trash audit • Educating students on basics of recycling • Implementing school-wide recycling plan Project Green • Partner with regional restaurant chain for the purpose of helping them ‘go green’ • Analyzing customer survey data

13. Pacific Ridge School Service Learning Teams:campus stewardship

14. Project Example:Harbor Beach HS Michigan • Computerized Food Pantry Inventory Project Students are working with all food pantries in county to sep up a computerized inventory system for tracking food items and customer information

15. Project Example:Agawam HS Massachussetts Leo Club • Storm drain marking • Specialized dog bowls for non-profit organization • Make Lions Club Eye Mobile handicap accessible • Design of school IDs Science Classes • Storm drain marking • Design and construction of storm drain stencils • Rapid stream bioassessment • Design of rain gardens • Develop water conservation educational materials • Salmon rearing and release project

16. EPICS High Curriculum • Still in draft format • Designed for flexibility • Great deal of input from EPICS High teachers • Consists of the following 5 modules that address 1 central topic per week: • Design • Service Learning • Cultural Context and Ethics • Teamwork • Communication Listed in the curriculum are 3 sections with each module that state learning objectives, national academic standards, and 45 lesson plans

17. The High School EPICS Model:Evaluation and Assessment Assessment of the EPICS High program currently consists of: • Site Visits • Bi-Annual Progress Reports • Student Surveys – Pre, Post and Senior • Survey by Community Partners • More Detailed Research Component Coming Soon! • Evaluation of the summer teacher trainings by participants

18. EPICS High Year 1 Data • - 13 out of 15 schools participated in the surveying • - 500 EPICS students particpating in the15 schools • 40% student response to survey

19. School and Participant Profile

20. Student Perception of What Was Learned After Being Involved in The Service-Learning Program

21. EPICS High Ability To Demonstrate How Engineering Helps Peoples

22. Service-Learning Effect on Student Motivation By Population

23. Student Attitudes After A Service-Learning Experience :

24. Student Attitudes In Pre-survey When Entering Into An EPICS Program…..

25. Student Attitudes After A Service-Learning Experience….

26. EPICS High:Potential for Impact EPICS has the potential to play a role in addressing many current issues including: • Declining interest in Engineering/Computing • Continued underrepresentation of women and minorities • Drop out rates • Improving STEM education • Global competitiveness • Building capacity in communities and schools • Compelling needs of underserved populations

27. EPICS High:Momentum, Momentum! EPICS High continues to bring together the resources for a large-scale national roll-out. Due to the success and overwhelming interest in the program, long-term plans have been accelerated. Plans for growth include: • More Schools!! • Securing funding to set up regional training centers • Formal patnerships with professional societies • Engaging state Service-Learning representatives • Training of regional trainers • 2009 Learn and Serve America follow-on grant • Establishing Teacher Fellows program • Building Web Tools and Resources NEW – Find us on Facebook!

28. Prepare Serve Explore • The Martinson Family Foundation The Time is Now...Changing the Equation