PERC 2020 Abstract Detail Page
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| Abstract Title: | When the Gatekeeper Says No: Mechanics Students’ Resilience and Success |
|---|---|
| Abstract: | What happens to aspiring engineers who do not pass their introductory mechanics class? At UIUC, approximately 11 percent of introductory mechanics engineering students earn a D, F, or W. Just 31 percent of these students go on to earn an engineering degree, compared with the 87 percent of students who pass the course on their first attempt. While most students who perform poorly in their introductory physics class choose a non-engineering major or leave the university altogether, there is a unique subset of initially struggling students who choose to persist in an engineering major. We interviewed engineering seniors in this group to learn about their experiences as engineering students who overcame an initial setback. On this poster, we will share big-picture outcomes for students who retake this fundamental course as well as insights into the difficulties some students face and what resources may help them succeed. |
| Abstract Type: | Contributed Poster Presentation |
| Session Time: | Poster Session II |
| Poster Number: | 2.H3 |
Author/Organizer Information | |
| Primary Contact: |
Devyn Shafer University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Urbana, IL 61801 Phone: 3038750788 |
| Co-Author(s) and Co-Presenter(s) |
Tim Stelzer, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign |
