http://epics-high.ecn.purdue.edu/

“High Schools Improving Lives with Engineering Projects in Community Service-Learning”

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Pamela TurnerEPICS High School Program CoordinatorPurdue University

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

Characteristics of Service-Learning

Design Using Service Learning

Diverse Student Participation

Various Partnerships

Institutional Commitment

Student Driven Customer/Project

Partner Focus

Characteristics of EPICS High

EPICS programs at 19 universities 35 High schools in five states

◦ California, Indiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York

The EPICS Consortium

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

Motivation: Connecting engineering with people and local communities

35 Schools Participating 1250+ Student Participants

41% Female Participants

34% Underrepresented Participants

Over 50% in Free & Reduced Lunch Programs

Impact: Changing the EquationIncluded in the mission of the EPICS High program is outreach to underrepresented populations. Reports from schools in April 2009 show the following impact:

10 Rural Schools 7 Suburban Schools 18 Urban Schools

31 In-school Programs 4 After-schools Programs

Impact: Varied Program ModelsEPICS High is creating a variety of models to replicate throughout the nation. Of the 35 existing schools, current models are:

Currently a 2 week summer program

STARS Leadership Summer Summit: Students apply to take part in free program Combines students from all over the city Environmental project focus Mentoring by university students Begin by learning fundamentals of

engineering (EPICS High Curriculum!)

Project Example: Columbia Secondary School New York City

Elective within the school and after schoolProject: Portable exhibit for

local science museum Focused on building green exhibits

Project: Green Technologies Using thermal imaging to conduct

energy audits of low income houses Constructing insulation out of recycled

materials Incorporating green technologies for

the middle school

Project Example: Leicester High School, Massachusetts

In school day (core curriculum)

Project: Community Holiday Lights Display Students Designed and built large outdoor drive-thru

community light display Computerized music to lights People tune into light display music on radio station

Project: Local Non-Profit Office Design Local non-profit was given office space by city and

students are designing the office layout – other projects are expected to follow with this agency

Project Example: Columbus Area Career Connection Indiana

1. EPICS High is now on Facebook!• Student group• Teachers group

2. New EPICS High Website!

3. Surveys and reports both on-line

4. Plans underway for web training sessions

5. More online curriculum and resources

New EPICS High Web Tools!

Two times per year EPICS High Request that Bi-Annual Reports be completed on Survey monkey

Project Info Demographics & Numbers Needs Pictures

Also on Survey Monkey students are asked to complete surveys

One upon starting into the program One upon leaving EPICS If they are graduating seniors, they are also asked to complete a

senior survey

EPICS High Reporting and Assessment

Gained Did Not Gain

No Answer0

10203040506070

Students Understanding of Engineering

Percent

Gained Did Not Gain

No Answer

05

1015202530354045

Students Understanding of Science

Percent

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

- 13 out of 15 schools participated in the surveying- 500 EPICS students particpating in the15 schools- 40% student response to survey

EPICS High Year 1 Data

EPICS High Ability To Demonstrate How Engineering Helps Peoples

01020304050

% Male % Female

% Undereppresemted % Total Population

Service-Learning Effect on Student Motivation By Population

Extre

mly Unfa

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le

Unfav

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Favo

rable

Really

Favo

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Extre

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No Ans

wer

010203040

EPICS Ability to Motivate Stu-dents to Pursue a Career in En-

gineering% Male% Female% Undereppresemted% Total Population

010203040

EPICS Ability to Motivate Stu-dents to Pursue a Career in

Science% Male% Female% Undereppresemted% Total Population

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

EPICS High: Potential for Impact

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

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EPICS High: Momentum, Momentum!

The Time is Now...Changing the Equation

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