TRB Pubsindex
Text Size:
x

« Prev Next »

Return to Results | New Search

Bookmark and Share

Title:

Engineering the Classroom Experience: Developing a Transportation Workforce through Hands-on Engagement

Accession Number:

01623324

Record Type:

Component

Abstract:

The field of civil engineering is facing both the need to replace rapidly declining infrastructure and the retirement of a significant portion of the workforce. To address this need, an influx of talented and energetic engineers is required. Unfortunately, many middle and high school students do not enter into STEM fields. Pre-college programs can help solve this issue by introducing engineering concepts early in a student’s academic career, making careers in STEM seem more accessible to students who otherwise would not pursue them. One such program, developed by the American Association for State Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO), is the Transportation and Civil Engineering (TRAC) program, which is supported by several state Departments of Transportation and is intended to introduce middle and high school students to careers in transportation and construction. In 2015, the Center for Technology and Training (CTT) at Michigan Technological University was tasked with updating the TRAC manuals. This included reorganizing the program’s seven modules and creating new content to replace. New hands- on activities were designed to challenge small teams of students to find creative solutions to a variety of obstacles. One such activity, which taught students the concept of impulse, was tested with a group of students who responded with great enthusiasm and impressive solutions. By adding competitive elements, hands-on problem solving, and team-based activities, the updates to the TRAC program were successful in engaging students in transportation and construction issues.

Supplemental Notes:

This paper was sponsored by TRB committee ABG20 Standing Committee on Transportation Education and Training.

Monograph Accession #:

01618707

Report/Paper Numbers:

17-01397

Language:

English

Corporate Authors:

Transportation Research Board

500 Fifth Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001 United States

Authors:

Roberts, Drew
Matchinski, Cassandra
Gilbertson, Chris

Pagination:

10p

Publication Date:

2017

Conference:

Transportation Research Board 96th Annual Meeting

Location: Washington DC, United States
Date: 2017-1-8 to 2017-1-12
Sponsors: Transportation Research Board

Media Type:

Digital/other

Features:

Figures; References

Uncontrolled Terms:

Workforce development

Subject Areas:

Administration and Management; Education and Training; Highways; Planning and Forecasting

Source Data:

Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting 2017 Paper #17-01397

Files:

TRIS, TRB, ATRI

Created Date:

Dec 8 2016 10:27AM