Marilyn Barger

Hillsborough Community College, University of South Florida

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Dr. Marilyn Barger is a leading figure in engineering and technology education, with a career dedicated to building robust pathways from K-12 classrooms to technical careers. As the Executive Director of FLATE (Florida Advanced Technological Education Center) since 2004, her work has fundamentally shaped how students, particularly in Florida, are recruited into and prepared for high-skill technical fields. Her research focuses on the critical juncture where early educational experiences influence career choices. In her highly cited work, "Do K-12 Robotics Activities Lead to Engineering and Technology Career Choices?" (6 citations), she provides foundational evidence linking hands-on robotics programs to student career trajectories. Dr. Barger has also advanced pedagogical practice by establishing best practices for robotic camps and pioneering the adaptation of the engineering design process for elementary education. Her impact is measured not just in citations, but in the thousands of students and educators she has reached through FLATE’s statewide initiatives, making her a pivotal architect of the modern technical education landscape.