(336a) Qualitatively Exploring Students' Experiences and Beliefs of Success

Introduction: If the purpose of education is to prepare students to be successful in school and beyond, then we must understand what success is for students. This study aims to fill this gap by understanding senior chemical engineering students’ experiences and beliefs of academic success.

Population: Senior chemical engineering students from a large Midwest university were targeted for this study. It is presumed that students on the verge of graduating (seniors), should have experiences academic success at some point in obtaining their degree. Determining how students have experiences academic success is the goal of this study.

Research Question

What are chemical engineering students’ experiences and beliefs of success?

Research Design

In order to thickly understand senior chemical engineering students’ experiences and beliefs of academic success, a qualitative research design was chosen. An interview protocol was developed following a semi-structured format. The data collected from the interviews will be transcribed and thematically analyzed.

Implications:

If the field of engineering education is to become more inclusive beyond the majority white male student, the experiences and beliefs of minorities must be better understood. Recognizing students’ values begins the dialogue of establishing an inclusive culture based on shared values. Educators understanding the range of values articulated by students, may establish their classroom culture with shared values.