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

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在STEM领域的成就认知产生短期影响，以及这是否会转化为学习和职业选择的长期选择。具体而言，该项目涉及期望值模型的心理组成部分的效用，以了解性别差异在与科技、经济和经济有关的选择中的作用。它还考察了机器人团队的性别构成和参与该项目的动机在女孩对STEM的感知、期望和选择中所起的作用。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，在课堂上使用机器人已成为在各种STEM主题中实际实践应用概念的有用工具。有明确的证据表明，机器人项目正在吸引教育工具，并在教授STEM概念方面取得了教学上的成功。然而，目前还不太清楚这样的项目是否会转化为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实用机器人研究所的Botball计划的参与者。Botball计划是一个以团队为基础的活动，吸引了数千名初中生和高中生参加地区性和全国性的机器人比赛和展览。该项目采用混合方法论研究方法，以丰富地了解STEM认知和选择所涉及的因素。为了检验期望值模型，将使用包括ANCOVA和结构方程模型在内的定量分析。定量研究辅之以定性研究。定性研究，包括观察、访谈和人工制品分析，将使我们能够更深入地了解参与机器人项目的影响，并允许审查文化问题在STEM选择中可能发挥的作用。智力价值最重要的智力价值来自于使用：1)期望价值模型；2)定性和定量方法的结合；3)显性和隐性态度测量；以及4)独特的定性方法，研究参与者将帮助我们收集数据。通过应用期望值理论，这项研究提供了关于女孩STEM经历中涉及的因素以及这种经历如何影响自我感知的最全面的观点。对综合定性/定性研究的综合解释将使我们更清楚地了解机器人等应用技术的项目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进入STEM职业生涯的选择。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。如果它们持续的时间更长，哪些因素会维持甚至加强女孩在STEM领域实现目标的动机。广泛影响最重要的是，这项研究与KIPR和SIUE在课程开发方面的工作直接吻合。KIPR拥有持续的NASA赠款，并与NASA教育工作者合作开发STEM课程，SIUE为开发K-12外展课程和本科课程的机器人课程做出了持续的教育努力。结果将允许Botball、First Robot League、塔夫茨大学Next Steps计划、CMU的Expanding Your Horizon计划以及许多其他计划针对其计划中实际影响女孩STEM相关选择的因素。传播对象将是教育工作者、教育研究人员和发展心理学家。

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.