The PIE program is evaluated with a formal procedure that uses a combination of tools, including:
- Analysis of PIE activities for consistency with mission;
- Problem solving exercises;
- Pre - and post - program student surveys, both middle school and college students;
- Post - program parent satisfaction survey, for parents of middle school students;
- Focus - group discussions with middle school participants.
Some early evaluation results include:
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| Students measure compressive strength of concrete test cylinders. |
- When comparing pre-, mid-, and post-program assignments, PIE girls show improved understanding of the problem solving process and a greater ability to deal with solving a problem.
- When compared to a control group of 8th graders, PIE participants showed a significant increase in their exposure to female engineers, more conversations with adults about engineering careers, more discussions with their guidance counselors, and more familiarity with college students.
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| Teambuilding exercises: a major component of the PIE experience. |
- All PIE participants responded yes to survey questions asking whether they plan to attend College.
- PIE participants indicated that they knew significantly more female engineers, and more college students, when compared with the entire control group.
- PIE participants were significantly more confident, than the control group, that they were capable of becoming an engineer and would consider engineering as a career option.
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