Proposing a Structured Graphical Model Using IDEF that can be Used for Storing, Organizing, and Studying Factors that Influence Girls and Young Women to Consider a Career in Engineering

Many factors contribute to achieving a successful, lifelong career in the engineering field. Because of the extremely diversified and specialized areas of engineering that have emerged during the last couple of decades, people of different backgrounds, races and especially women have more opportunities than ever. Although there are cases of universities increasing female enrollment and retention around the U.S., many universities continue to experience a very low number of female students that decide to study engineering. For example, at the Oregon Institute of Technology (OIT) during the past 5 years, the percentage of first year females in the orientation classes for engineering has been less than 10%. To understand better how these trends and statistics can be changed, tools must be developed to help gather, organize and study the factors that influence and impact K-12 age group girls. The purpose of this poster/paper project is to describe a model developed by OIT professors and students based on the ICAM Definition (IDEF) graphical language that can be used to record data and responses collected while working with local K-12 students on a Department of Defense (DOD) youth program called Starbase2.0. The paradigm proposes a multi-tier approach that looks at different phases of life, from late elementary and middle school to adult, working women engineers. Introduction and Background: By talking with professional women engineers, one starts to recognize the wide variety of factors that contributed to their success. A common thread that ties most of the group together is the fact that they had to overcome barriers and stereotypes from a very early age. Another reason for choosing a career in engineering is the influence of a mentor or other adult that encouraged them to take part in a project or class that had components of engineering. By being exposed to situations and tasks that challenged them and fit with their personalities and interests, many decided at an early age that engineering was a definite possibility. Whether it was because of an influential professor, a family member, participation in an after school, or exposure by joining a branch of the military, many women engineers point to early and middle childhood as the time when their eyes were opened to an exciting future in engineering. Many efforts are currently underway to increase female enrollment in university engineering programs. There is also a lot of work being done to engage young girls in activities and projects that expose them to technology and tasks related to design, research and building new products. Furthermore, the traditional scope of engineering as being Civil, Mechanical, Electrical and Chemical has now expanded to include many other and related areas. Careers in energy, biomedical, industrial, design and management might also fit for the interests, skills and personalities of some young women and appeal to their creativity, artistic ability, critical thinking as well as involve helping others and making the world a better place, which are reasons that apply to all areas of engineering and can attract more women to these fields. P ge 22199.2 Researchers and professionals interested in acquiring a better understanding of why and how things are changing for future generations are looking at marketing, recruiting, retention, and how to attract more young women into engineering programs are making a difference. Although there are examples of progress and successful initiatives, the low numbers of female enrollment in K-12 pre-engineering and undergraduate engineering programs continues to be worrisome. There is also a big change going on in the demographics and minority populations around the country. Table 1 provides data on engineering enrollment in undergraduate engineering programs and provides statistics based on sex, race/ethnicity and citizenship. These changes introduce another layer of complexity to the problem that will continue to grow and affect our society. Universities that are located in small, rural areas and communities with high minority populations are especially affected by this dilemma because it requires a paradigm shift from many perspectives including cultural, gender and society in general. TABLE 1: Undergraduate enrollment in engineering programs, by sex, race/ethnicity, and citizenship: 2007 Sex and status All undergraduates White Asian Black Hispanic Native American Foreign national