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Title:

STEM K-12 Outreach as the Root of Transportation Education: Experiences from the Railway Engineering Field

Accession Number:

01713660

Record Type:

Component

Availability:

Find a library where document is available


Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/03611981

Abstract:

Demand for graduates with rail transportation expertise remains strong in North America, particularly in engineering and technical fields. Over the past decade, various activities by the American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-way Association and rail-focused University Transportation Centers have slowly re-established a railway engineering academic community. Railway courses are now offered at two dozen universities in the United States (U.S.), and, for the first time in decades, several universities offer specific degrees in railway engineering. Despite this progress, challenges remain, such as raising student awareness of rail industry career paths. Since most railway engineering courses are senior-level electives, many students are already committed to other engineering disciplines before they are exposed to railway concepts. To raise student interest in rail courses and satisfy industry demands for internships, students must be introduced to railway concepts before they decide on the direction of their studies. One approach to directing more rail-aware students into engineering programs is rail-themed outreach to K-12 students. Railways still hold a fascination for many young people as complex, multidisciplinary systems, and numerous interesting science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) concepts can be demonstrated through the lens of railway transportation. Interactive rail-themed classroom activities can illustrate STEM topics while highlighting rail career opportunities and reinforcing railway transportation. This paper reviews rail-themed K-12 STEM outreach activities being undertaken by universities and the strong partnerships between industry and academia required to grow future generations of railway professionals.

Supplemental Notes:

The Standing Committee on Transportation Education and Training (ABG20) peer-reviewed this paper (19-02628). © National Academy of Sciences: Transportation Research Board 2019.

Report/Paper Numbers:

19-02628

Language:

English

Authors:

Dick, C. Tyler
Lautala, Pasi
Schlake, Bryan W

Pagination:

pp 558-569

Publication Date:

2019-12

Serial:

Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board

Volume: 2673
Issue Number: 12
Publisher: Sage Publications, Incorporated
ISSN: 0361-1981
EISSN: 2169-4052
Serial URL: http://journals.sagepub.com/home/trr

Media Type:

Digital/other

Features:

References (32)

Geographic Terms:

United States

Subject Areas:

Education and Training; Railroads

Files:

TRIS, TRB, ATRI

Created Date:

Mar 15 2019 2:00PM