STEPs in the Right Direction: Transforming Engineering/Computer Science Education at the University of New Mexico

该项目使学生能够体验选择工程或计算机科学专业的兴奋和回报，让他们尽早参与工程课程，培养他们对工程的持续兴趣和自尊。 为了实现这一目标，调查人员（1）参与教师和同行在工程学院的每一个第一和第二学生的辅导;（2）参与工程低年级学生在研究和实际实习与大学和地方，区域和国家机构和公司;（3）发展一种结构化的方法来奖励正在攻读学位的学生，（4）使低年级学生能够参加专业发展会议，如ASEE会议。 在社会科学教师的指导下，评估工作正在使用人口统计和入学数据，学生调查和观察数据来监测进展和调整计划活动。正在利用项目网站上的张贴、在国家会议上的介绍和年度讲习班来传播项目的方法和成果。

The project is enabling students to experience the excitement and reward from choosing a major in engineering or computer science by engaging them early in the engineering curriculum and cultivating their continued interest in engineering and their self-esteem. To accomplish this, the investigators are (1) involving faculty members and peers in the mentoring of every first and second student in the school of engineering; (2) involving engineering underclassmen in research and practical internships with the University and with local, regional and national agencies and corporations; (3) developing a structured approach to reward students who are progressing toward their degrees, and (4) enabling underclassmen to attend professional development conferences, such as the ASEE meetings. Evaluation efforts, under the direction of a social science faculty member, are using demographic and enrollment data, student surveys, and observational data to monitor progress and adjust program activities. Postings on a project website, presentations at national meetings, and annual workshops are being used to dissemination the project's approaches and results.