Icon for: Michelle Reaves

MICHELLE REAVES

DAPCEP (Detroit Area Pre-College Engineering Program)
Public Discussion

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  • Icon for: Brian Drayton

    Brian Drayton

    Researcher
    May 16, 2017 | 10:39 a.m.

    I enjoyed this video, and hearing the young people's voices.  I am curious if PAAMEE includes partnerships with green companies in the Detroit area-- either for field trips, or visits by professionals, or even internships?  More power to you!

  • Icon for: Michelle Reaves

    Michelle Reaves

    Lead Presenter
    Excecutive Director
    May 17, 2017 | 09:28 a.m.

    Hi Brian, 

    Thank you your inquiry.  Through our partnerships, PAAMEE students have visited local energy facilities to learn about renewable energy systems. The facilities tours reinforce the concepts discussed in the classroom.  One of the PAAMEE courses is facilitated by local energy firm that specializes in energy optimization design. These professionals are able to provide real-world examples regarding green energy.  Other energy industry professionals also meet with students to discuss career opportunities and career paths for the students.  After the students have completed the rotations of the PAAMEE program, each student will have the basic foundation needed to pursue a career or education in the energy industry.

  • Icon for: Albert Byers

    Albert Byers

    Facilitator
    Sr. Director, Research and Innovation
    May 17, 2017 | 08:10 a.m.

    Michelle

    Thank you for sharing this project. I agree with Brian, it was very refreshing to hear from multiple students directly, and what a worthwhile project specifically targeted for African American males to be exposed, engaged and ultimately empowered/inspired with opportunities in STEM technical fields/careers (and internships) in areas like renewable energy.

     

    When I listen to the students  I heard one from the video say "when I see kids from the neighborhood and city, and they are not doing what I'm doing, and I feel stuff like this is important, because what else could they be doing? The possibilities are limitless both good...and bad. I'm seeing more opportunities for myself open up as I learn more and more about renewable energy and engineering opportunities in the workplace...the more I sink into the program the more I get out of it" (Landon @1:15 min)


    ...You have achieved success and are hitting on all cylinders. AWESOME!

     

    A quick question:

    What metrics are you using to measure impact for these ~240 student participants beyond the wonderful anecdotal and rich personal stories they are sharing? Is there a measure of the percentage that take more advanced coursework, or secure internships in technical STEM fields, or that go on for a 2 year/4 yr technical degree (and apologies in advance if the program is too early in its progression to track this or other types of data)?

  • Icon for: Michelle Reaves

    Michelle Reaves

    Lead Presenter
    Excecutive Director
    May 17, 2017 | 02:04 p.m.

    Thank you for your inquiry. 

    We use several metrics to measure the program impact.  As this is the beginning of the project, we will not have final results for another year or so.   We measure science interest and efficacy based on pre/post assessments from the curriculum. We will also analyze students transcripts to determine increased enrollment in advanced science and math classes or increased grades in current science and math classes.  Through focus groups, student grades, reflective writing assignments we will measure students understanding of concepts.  We will also use a comparison group to explore motivations, engagement strategy, and leadership skills of young men that have not participated in the program. 

     
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    Albert Byers
  • Icon for: Albert Byers

    Albert Byers

    Facilitator
    Sr. Director, Research and Innovation
    May 17, 2017 | 09:45 p.m.

    Thanks Michelle, a wonderful mix of quantitative/qualitative data across a wide range of inputs! Best of success!

  • Icon for: Lynn Goldsmith

    Lynn Goldsmith

    Facilitator
    Distinguished scholar
    May 17, 2017 | 02:44 p.m.

    Hi Michelle,

    Your project does, indeed, sound both exciting and inspiring. I'm curious about whether the students who enter your program are already disposed to participate; if not, how are you "hooking" students without strong connection to STEM learning already?


    I'd also love to know more about how you recruit, prepare, and "use"  industry partners to work with PAAMEE participants; for example, do industry partners (like the energy firm) facilitate courses on their own, or alongside local educators? Are there some courses where contact with industry partners is more intense than others?

    Finally, I'd love to know more about the curriculum--for example, what kinds of learning experiences are built in, how long do the courses last, what kinds of issues/topics do they address, and whether you are making explicit connections to STEM coursework in school.

    Thanks so much for your work!

     

  • Icon for: Anne Gold

    Anne Gold

    Facilitator
    Research Faculty
    May 17, 2017 | 10:50 p.m.

    I enjoyed the video and hearing the reflection of the young men. It is clear that the program is very beneficial and he industry connections seem critical to motivate the students to envision themselves in STEM careers. 

    I am curious to learn why you focus on young men? Could young women participate also? Do you see a benefit of focusing on one gender only? 

     

  • Icon for: Michelle Reaves

    Michelle Reaves

    Lead Presenter
    Excecutive Director
    May 18, 2017 | 08:39 a.m.

    Anne, a few years ago we facilitated a similar program for young women.  We used that program as a foundation design for this current program for young men.  DAPCEP serves over 6000 students per year in various STEM OST programs.  Young women account for 50% of those students.  The single gender and multi-year programs builds a special bond amongst the group and eliminates some of the underlying issues with mixed groups. 

  • Icon for: April Lindala

    April Lindala

    Higher Ed Administrator
    May 19, 2017 | 04:06 p.m.

    Amazing work! Do you work with schools directly? Do you host programs at schools or do the students come to your program?  Thank you!!  April from Northern Michigan University

  • Icon for: Michelle Reaves

    Michelle Reaves

    Lead Presenter
    Excecutive Director
    May 22, 2017 | 01:08 p.m.

    Thank you!  This program had an open invitation to students in the area.  Many of the young men have participated in DAPCEP classes previously, but we also have a host of new students to DAPCEP.  In our other programs, we have variety of methods of exposure: 

    - We have a train-the-trainer model.  We provide professional development for teachers in the Detroit Public Schools Community District on research methodology.  This PD assist the teachers/students prepare for the Science & Engineering Fair of Metro Detroit.  

    - We engage students on the campuses of our partner institutions. 

    - We facilitate pop-up STEM workshops in the classroom by request. 

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