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机器人教育项目的参与者，以了解此类项目如何对女孩对其在 STEM 领域成就的看法产生短期影响，以及这是否会转化为学习和职业选择的长期选择。具体来说，该项目探讨了期望值模型的心理成分的效用，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项目的动机对女孩 STEM 认知、期望和选择的影响。机器人提供了一个集成系统的全面视图。它说明了机械、电气和计算组件之间的连接。由于其多学科性质，机器人在课堂上的使用已成为跨各种 STEM 主题实际、动手应用概念的有用工具。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 概念方面取得了教学上的成功。然而，尚不清楚此类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，吸引了数千名中学生和高中生参加地区和国家机器人竞赛和展览。该项目采用混合方法研究方法，以深入了解 STEM 认知和选择所涉及的因素。为了检验期望值模型，将采用包括ANCOVA 和结构方程模型在内的定量分析。定量研究辅以定性方法。定性研究包括观察、访谈和工件分析，将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。 智力优点 最重要的智力优点是由于使用： 1） 期望值模型； 2）定性与定量相结合的方法； 3）显性和隐性态度测量； 4) 独特的定性方法，研究参与者将协助我们收集数据。通过应用期望值理论，该研究提供了关于女孩 STEM 经历所涉及的因素以及这种经历如何影响自我认知的最全面的观点。对综合定性/定性研究的综合解释将有助于更清楚地理解机器人技术等应用技术的项目如何影响女孩对其能力的看法、期望值模型中产生的特定因素如何影响这些看法，以及这些影响如何影响进入 STEM 职业的选择。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。如果这些影响更持久，那么哪些因素可以维持甚至加强女孩实现 STEM 领域目标的动机。 更广泛的影响 最重要的更广泛的影响是，该研究与 KIPR 和 SIUE 的课程开发工作直接吻合。 KIPR 拥有持续的 NASA 拨款，并与 NASA 教育工作者建立了工作关系，以开发 STEM 课程，而 SIUE 则持续致力于开发 K-12 外展和本科课程的机器人课程。 结果将使 Botball、FIRST 机器人联盟、塔夫茨大学下一步计划、卡耐基梅隆大学的扩展你的视野计划以及许多其他计划能够在其计划中针对实际影响女孩 STEM 相关选择的因素。 传播对象是教育工作者、教育研究人员和发展心理学家。