Adventures in Engineering: a unique program to attract under-represented groups to engineering

As part of the National Science Foundation´s Young Scholars program, a unique program to attract outstanding high-school students from groups traditionally under-represented in engineering was held at the University of Alabama in Huntsville. During a two week summer residence at the university, students participated in an intensive program involving labs and lectures in three major disciplines of engineering; discussed scientific method, engineering ethics, and aspects of many engineering disciplines; and designed and tested entries for an “egg-drop” competition. Follow-up activities continued throughout the school year. As a result of the program, 100% of the participants stated that they will at least consider careers in science or engineering, and 71% cite participation in the Adventures in Engineering program as a factor in this interest