Create a STEM Pipeline for Students Who Become Engineering Majors Who Become Engineers

Abstract

This article describes the use of undergraduate college students as mentors who receive course credit for carrying out a properly structured mentor-assisted enrichment project (MAEP) with young proteges, using science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education kits and involving professional engineers, so that youth connect “learning about” engineering concepts with “learning how” they are applied in real-world situations. This approach involves both informal and formal education to produce multiple benefits for youth and undergrads, as well as for faculty who supply undergrads as mentors, teachers who supply young proteges, and engineers who share real-world experience. Participating companies and organizations also use this project as an opportunity to recruit future hires.