GSE/RES - The Effects of Robotics Projects on Girls' Perceptions of Achievement in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics

GSE/RES - 机器人项目对女孩对科学、技术、工程和数学成就的看法的影响

• 批准号: 0522400
• 负责人: Jerry Weinberg
• 金额: $ 35.26万
• 依托单位: Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 2005
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2005-09-01 至 2007-08-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0522400&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: GSE; RES; Effects; Robotics; Projects

Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville is studying participants in a robotics educational program to gain an understanding of how such programs may have a short-term effect on girls' perception of their achievement in STEM areas, and whether this translates into long-term choices in study and career options. Specifically, the project addresses the utility of the psychological components of the expectancy-value model for understanding the role of gender differences in STEM-related choices. It also examines the role the gender make-up of the robotics team and the motivation for participating in the program play in girls' STEM perceptions, expectations, and choices.Robotics provides a comprehensive view of an integrated system. It illustrates the connection between mechanical, electrical, and computing components. Because of its multidisciplinary nature, the use of robotics in the classroom has become a useful tool for the practical, hands-on application of concepts across various STEM topics. There is clear evidence that shows robotics projects are engaging educational tools and have been pedagogically successful in teaching STEM concepts. However, it is less clear whether such projects translate into long-term interests in STEM areas of study and, ultimately, career choices.The project involves participants in the KISS Institute for Practical Robotics' Botball Program. The Botball Program is a team-based activity that engages thousands of middle school and high school students in regional and national robotics competitions and exhibitions. The project employs a mixed methodology research approach to gain a rich understanding of the factors involved in STEM perceptions and choices. To examine the expectancy-value model, quantitative analyses including ANCOVA and structural equation modeling will be employed. The quantitative study is complemented with a qualitative approach. The qualitative study, which includes observations, interviews, and artifact analysis, will enable a deeper understanding of the effect of participation in robotics projects and permit the examination of role cultural issues may play in STEM choices.Intellectual Merit The most significant intellectual merit is due to the use of: 1) the expectancy value model; 2) a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods; 3) both explicit and implicit attitudes measures; and 4) a unique qualitative methodology in which participants in the study will assist us in data collection. By applying the expectancy-value theory, the study provides the most comprehensive view of the factors involved in a girl's STEM experience and how this experience affects self-perception. The combined interpretation of the comprehensive qualitative/qualitative study will provide a clearer understanding of how programs that apply technology, like robotics, affect girls' perceptions of their abilities, how specific factors engendered in the expectancy-value model impact these perceptions, and how these effects influence choices to enter STEM careers. The two year study will help determine if impacts are short term or longer lasting. And if they are longer lasting what are factors that sustain or even strengthen girls' motivations for achieving goals in STEM areas.Broader ImpactThe most significant broader impact is that the study dovetails directly with work in curriculum development at KIPR and SIUE. KIPR has a continuing NASA Grant and a working relationship with NASA Educators for the development of STEM curriculum and SIUE has an ongoing educational effort for the development of robotics curriculum for K-12 outreach and undergraduate courses. Results will allow programs such as Botball, FIRST Robot League, Tufts University Next Steps Program, CMU's Expanding Your Horizon Program, and many others to target factors in their programs that actually impact a girl's STEM-related choices. Dissemination will be aimed at educators, educational researchers, and developmental psychologists.

南伊利诺伊大学爱德华兹维尔分校正在研究参与机器人教育计划的参与者，以了解这些计划如何对女孩对他们在STEM领域的成就的看法产生短期影响，以及这是否转化为长期选择学习和职业选择。具体而言，该项目解决了期望值模型的心理组成部分的效用，以了解性别差异在STEM相关选择中的作用。它还研究了机器人团队的性别构成以及参与该计划的动机在女孩的STEM观念，期望和选择中的作用。机器人技术提供了一个综合系统的全面视图。它说明了机械、电气和计算组件之间的连接。由于其多学科的性质，在课堂上使用机器人技术已成为一个有用的工具，在各种STEM主题的概念的实际，动手应用。有明确的证据表明，机器人项目正在使用教育工具，并且在教授STEM概念方面取得了成功。然而，目前尚不清楚这些项目是否会转化为对STEM研究领域的长期兴趣，并最终转化为职业选择。该项目涉及KISS实用机器人研究所Botball项目的参与者。Botball计划是一项以团队为基础的活动，吸引数千名初中和高中学生参加区域和国家机器人比赛和展览。该项目采用混合方法论研究方法，以丰富了解STEM感知和选择所涉及的因素。为了检验期望值模型，将采用ANCOVA和结构方程模型等定量分析。定量研究与定性方法相辅相成。定性研究包括观察、访谈和人工制品分析，将使人们能够更深入地了解参与机器人项目的效果，并允许检查文化问题在STEM选择中可能发挥的作用。智力优势最重要的智力优势是由于使用：1）期望值模型; 2）定性和定量方法的结合; 3）预期值模型。3）外显和内隐态度测量;和4）一个独特的定性方法，参与者在研究中将协助我们收集数据。通过应用期望值理论，该研究提供了最全面的观点，涉及一个女孩的STEM经验的因素，以及这种经验如何影响自我感知。综合定性/定性研究的综合解释将更清楚地了解应用技术的程序，如机器人技术，如何影响女孩对自己能力的看法，期望值模型中产生的具体因素如何影响这些看法，以及这些影响如何影响选择进入STEM职业。这项为期两年的研究将有助于确定影响是短期的还是长期的。如果它们持续时间更长，那么是什么因素维持甚至加强了女孩在STEM领域实现目标的动机。更广泛的影响最重要的更广泛的影响是，这项研究直接与KIPR和SIUE的课程开发工作相吻合。KIPR有一个持续的美国宇航局赠款和与美国宇航局教育工作者的工作关系，用于开发STEM课程和SIUE有一个持续的教育工作，用于开发K-12推广和本科课程的机器人课程。 结果将允许Botball，FIRST机器人联盟，塔夫茨大学下一步计划，CMU的扩展您的视野计划等计划，以及许多其他计划中的目标因素，这些因素实际上会影响女孩的STEM相关选择。 传播的对象是教育工作者、教育研究人员和发展心理学家。