epics-high.ecn.purdue/

1. “High Schools Improving Lives with Engineering Projects in Community Service-Learning” Design Grow Prepare Serve Explore Succeed http://epics-high.ecn.purdue.edu/ Pamela TurnerEPICS High School Program CoordinatorPurdue University

2. Service-Learning Definition We define service learning as a type of experiential education in which students participate in service in the community and reflect on their involvement in such a way as to gain further understanding of course content and of the discipline and its relationship to social needs and an enhanced sense of civic responsibility. - Hatcher and Bringle, 1997

3. Characteristics of Service-Learning • Service– students participate in service for the underserved in a community • Academically-based – reinforces or connects with the subject material of the academic course • Reciprocity – Mutual needs, mutual learning • Reflection (Analysis, metacognition) – Students reflect (analyze) on their experience and learning

4. service-LEARNING Learning goals are primary; service outcomes are secondary SERVICE-learning Service outcomes are primary; learning goals are secondary service learning Service and learning goals are separate SERVICE-LEARNING Service and learning goals have equal weight; each enhances the other for all participants Service vs Learning

5. The EPICS Consortium • EPICS programs at 19 universities • 35 High schools in five states • California, Indiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York

6. Current EPICS High Schools In New York: Frederick Douglass Academy A Phillip Randolph Columbia Secondary School Syracuse City Schools (Henninger) Shoreham-Wading River HS (NEW) In Massachusetts: Leicester HS Agawam HS Prospect Hill Academy In California: High Tech High Pacific Ridge Andrew P. Hill HS Yerba Buena HS Pleasant Grove HS In Indiana: McCutcheon HS Jefferson HS IPS Career & Tech Center Park Tudor Columbus C4 Program Bedford North Lawrence HS Northrop HS Indiana Academy Arsenal Tech TC Howe School George Washington Comm. School eSchool Academy Arlington HS Frankfort HS In Michigan: University High School Caseville HS Owendale-Gagetown HS Harbor Beach HS North Huron Schools Laker HS Ubly Community Schools Bad Axe Schools

7. Motivation:Connecting engineering with people and local communities • While interest in engineering is declining, civic engagement among teenagers is high • 83% of high school seniors entering college participated in community service or service-learning • Female and minority students more inclined to continue service • Many honors diplomas require service • Service-learning in high schools rarely connected with engineering/science/math • EPICS provides an opportunity to tap into this wave of volunteerism

8. Motivation:The Time is Now for EPICS High • In 2006, EPICS received a $1.5 million from CNCS (Learn & Serve America) to start EPICS High Along with Industry Support • Collaboration with EPICS, Engineering Education/Inspire, and Purdue’s College of Education • 4 EPICS university partners helpedidentify high schools initially • Partnerships with Service-Learning State Leaders Across the Country, and Professional Engineering Organizations; SWE, NSBE, SHPE, etc.

9. EPICS Projects: Human Services Habitat for Humanity • Energy efficiency analyses & home design recommendations • Inventory management system • Building construction tutorials & management systems Imagination Station Children’s Museum • Bicyle driven generator • Interactive wind tunnel Columbian Park Zoo • Design of educational materials • Interative kiosks • Primate behavioral conditioning system (monkey biscuit feeder)

10. EPICS Projects:Access & Abilities Greater Lafayette Area Special Services • Complex play environments for young children with physical disabilities Purdue University Campus • Campus navigation systems for students with disabilities • Adjustable bookshelf for students using wheelchairs Greater Lafayette Soap Box Derby • Designing and buiding specially equipped derby cars to accommodate a co-driver and handicapped children

11. EPICS Projects:Environmental Boiler Green Initiative • Green roof projects on campus • Campus recycling Deptartment of Forestry & Natural Resources • Design & construct wetland • Educational public about water quality Habitat for Humanity • Biotown, USA Habitat home • Inventing new hybrid building blocks in Haiti to reduce construction costs

12. EPICS Projects:Education & Outreach Happy Hollow Elementary School • Design & construct projects for the school’s interactive Rainforest Room • Weather station and instrumentation that feeds meteorlogical data Lafayette School Corporation • Traffic flow study at Jefferson HS • Volunteer matching system for people to sign up to fill volunteer positions within the schools

13. Impact:Changing the Equation • 35 Schools Participating • 1250+ Student Participants • 41% Female Participants • 34% Underrepresented Participants • Over 50% in Free & Reduced Lunch Programs Included in the mission of the EPICS High program is outreach to underrepresented populations. Reports from schools in October 2008 show the following impact:

14. Impact:VariedProgram Models EPICS High is creating a variety of models to replicate throughout the nation. Of the 35 existing schools, current models are: • 10 Rural Schools • 7 Suburban Schools • 18 Urban Schools • 31 In-school Programs • 4 After-schools Programs

15. Project Example:Caseville SchoolsHuron County Intermediate Schools in Michigan Wastewater diversion “green” field maintenance project Project OverviewUse, up to now, discarded Department of Public Works water treatment plant, filter rinse water to: • Irrigate community & school ball fields • Establish school based experimental garden • Establish school based experimental aquaculture program to raise and release indigenous fish species in 2 local waterways • collect, refine and correlate learning objectives for subprojects listed above

16. Project Example:McCutcheon High SchoolTippecanoe County, Indiana Guidance Department ESL Assistant Software • Computers give welcome message and common task menu for Hispanic speakers entering McCutcheon • Main menu allows parent/student to select from options – enrollment, withdrawal, questions commonly asked • Completed computerized forms then revert to English for counselors/school use

17. Project Example:High Tech High San Diego, California • 114 Seniors participating in semester long program List of Project Underway: • Recyclable materials storage unit • Modular back drop system • Custom stage stairs for animals • Light writer pendulum • Ball return system for a gravity well • Mobil art cart • Fish pin cover system • Sign storage and transportation cart • Custom sports equipment rack • Climbing tree structure Raptor Cage • 15 projects have already been delivered by • High Tech High affecting an estimated 1650 people Motorized Copy Holder

18. Project Example:Fredrick Douglass AcademyHarlem, New York Projects Underway in 3 Areas Bioengineering: Aquaponics Tank in Harlem Senior Center Environmental Engineering: Design water quality sampling station for the East River Robotics: High school students are using their robotics program to work with middle and elementary age students in a mentoring program In Addition: Developing a system for students to partner with elementary school teachers and create projects to help them teach science The Frederick Douglass Academy

19. Project Example:Pacific Ridge School Carlsbad, California Pacific Ridge School Campus Stewardship Project • Recycling auditing/setup/maintenance • Worm bin setup/maintenance (food composting) • Designed and constructed athletic equipment storage box, garden equipment storage shed, and field-side benches • Designed and planted PRS garden (using worm compost) Elementary School Outreach Project • Formed partnership with local elementary school • Performed recycling/trash audit • Educating students on basics of recycling • Implementing school-wide recycling plan Project Green • Partner with regional restaurant chain for the purpose of helping them ‘go green’ • Analyzing customer survey data

20. Pacific Ridge School Service Learning Teams:campus stewardship

21. Project Example:Harbor Beach HS Michigan • Computerized Food Pantry Inventory Project Students are working with all food pantries in county to sep up a computerized inventory system for tracking food items and customer information

22. Project Example:Agawam HS Massachussetts Leo Club • Storm drain marking • Specialized dog bowls for non-profit organization • Make Lions Club Eye Mobile handicap accessible • Design of school IDs Science Classes • Storm drain marking • Design and construction of storm drain stencils • Rapid stream bioassessment • Design of rain gardens • Develop water conservation educational materials • Salmon rearing and release project

23. EPICS High Curriculum • Still in draft format • Designed for flexibility • Great deal of input from EPICS High teachers • Consists of the following 5 modules that address 1 central topic per week: • Design • Service Learning • Cultural Context and Ethics • Teamwork • Communication Listed in the curriculum are 3 sections with each module that state learning objectives, national academic standards, and 45 lesson plans

24. Implementing EPICS High…..For Schools Easy Steps for getting started : • Teachers and/or administrators attend EPICS High training • Complete an MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) on how you plan to implement and support your program • Identify an initial community partner • Identify need expertise in your school or community to lead or mentor • Recruit students • Go to work!

25. What will I get if I become an EPICS High site? • Professional Development Opportunities • Support and Resources from EPICS Headquarters • Exposure to Other EPICS High Sites and Teachers • Access to University and Corporate Mentors for Needed Expertise and Resources • EPICS High Curriculum • Funding Leads That Arise Through Grants or Corporations • Access to Professional Societies such as National Society of Black Engineers, Society of Women in Engineering Members, Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers members • To Be a Reconginzied Leader in Education

26. The High School EPICS Model:Evaluation and Assessment Assessment of the EPICS High program currently consists of: • Site Visits • Bi-Annual Progress Reports • Student Surveys – Pre, Post and Senior • Survey by Community Partners • More Detailed Research Component Coming Soon! • Evaluation of the summer teacher trainings by participants

27. EPICS High Year 1 Data • - 13 out of 15 schools participated in the surveying • - 500 EPICS students particpating in the15 schools • 40% student response to survey

28. School and Participant Profile

29. Student Perception of What Was Learned After Being Involved in The Service-Learning Program

30. Service-Learning Effect on Student Motivation By Population

31. Student Attitudes After A Service-Learning Experience :

32. Student Attitudes After A Service-Learning Experience…. Student Attitudes In Pre-survey When Entering Into An EPICS Program…..

33. Summer Trainings: for High School Teachers and Administrators EPICS High held its 2nd summer training session in 2008. 60 individuals representing approximately 40 schools attended. In 2009 trainings 150 individuals are expected to attend. Training will include both existing and new schools with sessions on the following topics: • Partnerships • Project Management • Teaming • Assessment • Engineering Content • Design • Social Context and Culture • The EPICS Model & Service-Learning Training is designed to give teachers and administrators the tools and resources needed to implement and maintain EPICS High programs “I knew very little prior to this training and now feel confident to start EPICS at my school.” 2007 Teacher Training Participant

34. EPICS High:Potential for Impact EPICS has the potential to play a role in addressing many current issues including: • Declining interest in Engineering/Computing • Continued underrepresentation of women and minorities • Drop out rates • Improving STEM education • Global competitiveness • Building capacity in communities and schools • Compelling needs of underserved populations

35. EPICS High:Momentum, Momentum! EPICS High continues to bring together the resources for a large-scale national roll-out. Due to the success and overwhelming interest in the program, long-term plans have been accelerated. Plans for growth include: • More Schools!! • Securing funding to set up regional training centers • Formal patnerships with professional societies • Engaging state Service-Learning representatives • Training of regional trainers • 2009 Learn and Serve America follow-on grant • Establishing Teacher Fellows program • Building Web Tools and Resources NEW – Find us on Facebook!

36. Prepare Serve Explore • The Martinson Family Foundation The Time is Now...Changing the Equation