A STEM Incubator to Engage Students in Hands-on, Relevant Learning

Abstract

This paper describes the development of a STEM Incubator program to engage students in hand-on, relevant projects that draw student interest toward computer science and other STEM fields. The program is implemented via one-credit courses allowing students to collaborate on projects in various areas (such as digital sound and music, 3D design, robotics, digital image processing, bioinformatics, and mobile and pervasive computing) and around multiple application domains (e.g. internet of things and security, apps for college campus life, 3D printing and art, wearable sensors for disabilities, and sensors and unmanned vehicles for conservation). An apprentice/leader learning environment is created to sustain student involvement in ongoing projects. The evolution of the program is reviewed, including successes and challenges. We report on the demographics of students who have participated in the program so far, and on the success in attracting enthusiastic interest, notably among female students. The STEM Incubator program, like other similar programs described in this paper, attempts to put into practice the evidence-based teaching practices in active learning that have gained credence over the past decade. The paper is of interest to those considering a similar program or wishing to compare other programs to their own.