Elisabeth McGrath
Papers
7
Total Citations
58
H-Index
4
About
Elisabeth McGrath is a researcher and educator whose work centers on K-12 STEM education, engineering curriculum design, and educational robotics. She is perhaps best known for her sustained contributions to the Build IT project, a pioneering university-school collaboration developed at Stevens Institute of Technology that uses LEGO-based underwater robotics to engage middle and high school students in science, mathematics, engineering, and information technology. Her research demonstrates how hands-on, project-based learning can meaningfully increase student interest and achievement in STEM fields, with her most-cited work accumulating nearly 60 citations across her publication record. McGrath's contributions extend beyond a single grade level — a hallmark of her scholarship is the development of vertically integrated curricula that span middle school through undergraduate education, ensuring coherent and scalable pathways into engineering. Her 2007 paper on this paradigm remains an influential model for educators seeking to adapt complex engineering challenges across skill levels. She has also explored how non-traditional engineering projects can be meaningfully embedded into traditional classroom settings, addressing critical questions of curriculum fit and assessment. Through her collaborative approach bridging universities and schools, McGrath has helped shape a more inclusive and engaging vision of pre-college engineering education.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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- 3Robots Underwater! Learning Science, Engineering and 21st Century Skills11 citations · 2012
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- 6Transforming a Middle and High School Robotics Curriculum3 citations · 2020
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