Increasing Enrollment and Retention in the College of Engineering Using a Multi-Disciplinary Motorsports Theme

该项目将纳斯卡赛车作为一种智力参与策略，应用于一系列广泛的方法中，以招收更优秀、更聪明的学生，然后在关键的大一学年抓住他们的想象力。它包括收集面对面的演讲，传单和指导顾问海报，以及夏季奖学金计划。它利用现有的数学、科学和技术教育中心（CMSTE）的网络资源，接触到地区高中中大量代表性不足的少数民族，并通过另一个现有的项目，接触到全州的天才和有才华的学生。通过在第一年的工程课程中应用以纳斯卡为主题的动手学习模块，研究人员向学生们介绍了令人兴奋的工程活动。一个关键的资源是北卡罗来纳大学夏洛特赛马商店，它有许多强大的、有用的和可用的资源。在两位专家的指导下，项目评估使用调查、访谈、观察和焦点小组来跟踪项目是如何实施和实现其目标的。传播工作包括会议报告、期刊出版物和一个综合网站。更广泛的影响包括以代表性不足的群体为重点的K-12外展，大学和地区高中之间的网络和伙伴关系，以及项目方法和成果的传播。

The project is applying NASCAR racing as an intellectual engagement strategy in a broad array of approaches to enroll better and brighter students and then capture their imagination in the key freshman year. It involves a collection of face to face presentations, flyers and guidance counselor posters, and a summer fellowship program. It is using the networking resources of an existing center of mathematics, science, and technology education (CMSTE) to reach the large numbers of under-represented minorities in the regional high schools and, through another existing program, gifted and talented students across the state. By applying hands-on learning modules with a NASCAR theme in first-year engineering courses, the investigators are introducing the students to exciting engineering activities. A key resource is the University of North Carolina Charlotte Race Shop, which has a number of powerful, useful, and available resources. Project evaluation, under the direction of two experts, is using surveys, interviews, observations, and focus groups to track how the project is being implemented and achieving its objectives. Dissemination efforts involve conference presentations, journal publications, and a comprehensive web site. Broader impacts include the K-12 outreach with a focus on underrepresented groups, networking and partnerships between the university and regional high schools, and the dissemination of project approaches and results.