Freshman engineering faculty awarded NSF grant

From Left: Melissa Morris, Lizzie Santiago, and Robin Hensel

Approximately 50 percent of all incoming freshman at West Virginia Universitythat choose to study engineering are not considered calculus ready, which can hinder their learning and ability to succeed in the discipline. A trio of faculty in WVU's freshman engineeringprogram have been awarded a National Science Foundation grant to find solutions to help these struggling students.

Lizzie Santiago, teaching assistant professor of freshman engineering, was awarded a two-year, $250,000 grant that enables the Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources to create a new pre-engineering course. Santiago and her team of researchers, which includes Melissa Morris and Robin Hensel, will study the development of critical thinking skills among non-calculus ready freshman engineering students.

"When I became an academic advisor in the Statler College, I noticed that many incoming freshmen lacked the math skills that were vital on the path to an engineering degree," said Santiago. "My research focus has been in attrition for quite some time, so I wanted to take on this project as a combination of my previous research and my goal to better help my students."

The course will be taught by Santiago and Morris, also a teaching assistant professor of freshman engineering, using a project-based approach and the "conceive, design, implement and operate" educational framework, an initiative that stresses engineering fundamentals in the context of real-world systems and products.

"Currently, incoming freshman who start in algebra and trigonometry cannot begin problem-solving-based engineering courses until they are ready for pre-calculus," explained Morris. "This new course enables them to be involved in these types of engineering courses and feel like they are a part of the Statler College, while developing the critical thinking and math skills that they will need in their future classes and careers."

The Statler College will host the course in the fall and spring semesters and continue to do so at the end of the grant term.

"This grant is a significant step in WVU's commitment to engage more students in engineering experiences as soon as possible," said Hensel, assistant dean for the freshman experience. "We believe early engagement is crucial to increasing student success and retention."

"As academic advisors, our goal is to see our students succeed and be able to move into their chosen engineering disciplines," said Santiago. "We are looking to find a path to success for students in the next two years that can be applied for many years to come to not only better our students, but better the education WVU offers."

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