Theses and Dissertations at Montana State University (MSU)
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Item Using aeronautics to increase engagement, comprehension, and interest in aviation STEM careers(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Letters & Science, 2020) Giordano, Michael; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Greg FrancisSince the initiation of STEM Education, the need for pilots and aircraft technicians has steadily increased as the number of people entering aviation career fields has been on the decline. The population in general remains unaware of rewarding career opportunities in aviation and aerospace as the focus in STEM careers has been on computers, information technology and healthcare. Will using aviation themes to teach science increase engagement, comprehension, and interest in aviation STEM careers. A unit on force and motion was taught using aviation themed activities. Pre and post assessments were administered to measure comprehension of force and motion concepts for treatment and non-treatment groups. The treatment group completed pre and post treatment surveys to measure their interest and awareness of aviation STEM careers. A post treatment questionnaire, and student interviews were used to determine both student engagement and interest in aviation careers. Data analysis indicated a small, but not significant increase in comprehension for the treatment group. Student awareness in aviation as a STEM career increased, while interest in aviation careers exhibited almost no change. Using aviation themes to teach certain science topics can increase student engagement, if used economically. Unless individual students have had a personal experience with aviation, beyond flying on a commercial airliner, the novelty may wear off quickly. Used strategically, using aviation themed activities can generate a greater interest for some students and certainly make others cognizant of the field.Item An analysis of hands-on medical experience and student engagement in the science classroom(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Letters & Science, 2019) Wood, Jerilyn J.; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Greg FrancisOver a period of six months, students in the Chinook anatomy and physiology class learned EMT training skill and completed work-based learning experiences, such as job shadowing, in order to increase engagement in the science classroom. This project also looked at the impact that this hands-on learning had on students' confidence and feelings of preparedness as well as their desire to pursue a career in the medical field. Students completed a pre- and post-treatment engagement surveys and post-treatment interviews. From the surveys, it was found that there was no statistical difference between the pre- and post-treatment survey responses. The raw data showed some shifts in students' attitudes but there was not enough change to be statistically significant. From the post-treatment interviews, students reported feeling more engaged and better able to make connections between the material learned in class and the real-world. They also reported developing skills that would help them succeed beyond high school such as time management and responsibility for their own learning.Item Using current science events in an eighth grade science classroom(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Letters & Science, 2019) Mattus, Kathy Sue; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Walter WoolbaughStudents become more engaged in science when they see a connection to their individual lives. Through the use of current science event articles, this study investigated the impact the articles had on student interest in science, academic achievement, and awareness of science related careers. Students were evaluated on summaries written, surveys completed, drawings made of scientists, and interviews given. Although the quantitative data showed very little difference in interest before and after the treatment, the qualitative data suggests reading the articles does increase students' interest in science and science related careers.Item Preparing students for science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and healthcare fields - a two year college approach(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Letters & Science, 2017) Shell, Michael John; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Walter WoolbaughThe Becoming a Successful Student course offered at the Great Falls College Montana State University is designed to prepare students for future coursework by providing foundational study skills, time management, and goal setting. This study correlated the effectiveness of the Becoming a Successful Student Class with students interested in health science career and computer science tracks as well as STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) field transfer programs by assessing student perception of effectiveness and then correlating that effectiveness with first semester Grade Point Average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale, along with credits attempted vs. credits successfully completed and then second semester mid-term GPA along with credits attempted. Face to face interviews with competitive entry health science program directors and division directors also gave a look at the anticipated competencies that students should have prior to acceptance into a program or transfer to a STEM school. The foundational framework of the Becoming a Successful Student applies to students that are new to the world of higher academics in order to reinforce and enhance previously learned skills in order to achieve success in future coursework. This also supports the mission of student retention by making the skills and knowledge to be successful able to be accessed by all new students. Although, initially it appears that the course had little effect on the future preparedness of students, it is important to note that at mid-term many students still have an opportunity to drop or withdraw from courses that they will not be successful in. Also, the students with grades less than 'B-' show the greatest increase in semester GPA at mid-term, suggesting that students who would not have been successful initially, obtained skills that they built on and reinforced their future success.Item The impact of the health science academy at Big Sky High School affect student achievement and preparedness for college(Montana State University - Bozeman, Graduate School, 2016) Ellenbecker, Robert P.; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Peggy Taylor.The Health Science Career Academy at Big Sky High School was launched in the fall of 2012 and is currently serving 240 students. At the time of implementation, 50% of Big Sky High School graduates were not pursuing post-secondary education. More than 40% of students at Big Sky High School receive free and reduced lunch benefits meaning they are in an economic situation which commonly leads to low achievement and low post-secondary expectations. A thematic course of study, focused on health science, small learning community and exposure to industry professions and professionals provides a unique educational model designed to engage students, and provide them with the interpersonal support and academic foundation necessary for achieving professional success. Federally mandated standardized test scores, ACT scores, survey responses, grade point average, and free and reduced lunch status, of academy students, were compared to a control group, of non-academy students, in an effort to determine whether the Health Science Academy is improving student achievement and preparedness for college. The Health Science Academy appeared to be serving a population of students with abnormally low risk of academic failure. The impacts on academic achievement was inconclusive but impacts on student attitude appeared to be positive as were impacts on preparedness for college.Item The effect of increased graduation requirements on vocational education(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Business, 1990) Hoyem, Tamra Susan; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Norman L. MillikinThe major purpose of this study was to determine if vocational education offerings at the secondary level in Montana public schools were decreasing due to additional graduation and college entrance requirements. To collect data for this study, questionnaires were sent to 242 vocational educators and administrators employed in public secondary high schools in Montana for the year 1989-1990. The six strata used were (1) Agriculture, (2) Business, (3) Home Economics, (4) Industrial Education, (5) Marketing, and (6) Administrators. One hundred twenty-four usable returns were received. Sixty-five percent of the respondents said that they had faced a decrease in enrollment in vocational education classes, with the decreases occurring in all 5 areas. Most of the decreases occurred from 1987-1989 when most schools had increased graduation requirements in effect. The findings of this study showed that 77% of the respondents also had an overall decrease in school enrollment at the same time vocational education enrollments were decreasing. All areas in specific schools had vocational education classes that qualified as graduation requirement replacements or college entrance requirements. More classes were allowed for college entrance requirements. Qualifying vocational classes did not seem to have higher enrollments than non-qualifying vocational education classes. Vocational classes, multiple class sections, and vocational programs have been dropped from the high school curriculums. Non-vocational programs have also been dropped. The data for this study indicated that most secondary schools in Montana had decreased enrollments in vocational education classes. A reduction in both vocational and non-vocational educators occurred in the school systems. Based on the findings of the study, the writer recommends that vocational educators work with administration and other educational groups (OPI, Regents, MT Council for Voc. Ed., etc.) to show the importance of vocational education to the public, students, and parents. Use of cross-credits in similar content area for graduation requirements, keeping current with trends, and providing awards and recognition of students in vocational education are recommended.Item The career lattice concept in the community college(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of School of Business, 1977) Mahon, Leslie J.; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Norman L. MillikinThe purposes of this study were to: 1. Conduct a normative-survey of the community colleges in the Northwestern region of the United States in an attempt to ascertain what the philosophy of these college leaders was in regard to career education. 2. Compile information and materials that experts recommend for inclusion in a post-secondary career education program. 3. Implement the career development concept into the curriculum at the community college level.Item A mid depth study of the career education and career choice implemented by Hardin High School for the benefit of its students as a whole and subdividing this group into its approximate 80 percent white and 20 percent Crow Indian divisions, taking into account the cultural and linguistic problems presented by the native American Indian group along with the overt pressures exerted by government and the covert pressures of white society, with a concluding presentation that will provide, in essence, a composite and true reflection of this particular situation and then will draw conclusions and suggested recommendations that will assist either directly or indirectly in cracking this nut, as projected in semi-professional educatorese with a variable allowance for the upbringing of the author on the low ebb of the socio-economic tide of life or hey baby, are we doing the job?(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Professional Schools, 1974) Moran, Patrick J.; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Norman L. MillikinAfter completing a Career Education Institute administered by Dr. Cliff Helling at Montana State University, the writer determined in his own mind that there was a need to do research with the students at Hardin High School, where he is employed. He set out to see if this school was doing an adequate job of aiding students in making their career choice. The problem was further broken down to see if both Indian and white students were provided equal opportunities of pursuing the career of their choice.Item Guidelines for the development of a cooperative vocational education program at Hellgate High School for the disadvantaged distributive education student(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Professional Schools, 1974) Hart, Bradley L.; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Norman L. Millikin"Some students do not succeed in the regular programs offered in the high school. Their performance is inadequate because they lack the basic scholastic skills and their attitude toward educational involvement is poor. The student is "turned off", dislikes school, and is on his way to becoming a school dropout. A regular vocational education program may meet the needs of some disadvantaged students but, for many, the lack of success over too long a time has insured their lack of responsiveness to most conventional vocational programs." (16:1) Through a study of the literature at the Montana State University Library and literature collected from State Departments of Public Instruction across the United States, the writer will pursue the problem areas of: (a) definitions of disadvantaged and special needs, (b) characteristics of disadvantaged, (c) determining student eligibility, (d) local planning and organization, (e) faculty, (f) curriculum, (g) counseling, (h) facilities and equipment, and (i) program evaluation, to help develop a philosophy at Hellgate whereby students are afforded the opportunity for success in careers that they may pursue.Item An evaluation of the 'Introduction to careers' course at Missoula County High School(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Professional Schools, 1973) Pederson, Duane E.; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Norman L. MillikinThis study was an attempt to evaluate the "Introduction to Careers" course at Missoula County High Schools regarding: 1. Is there a need for career development information for Missoula County High School freshmen? 2. Were the course objectives accomplished by the students? "Introduction to Careers" at Missoula County High Schools is a required freshmen level semester course. It was implemented during the school year 1972-73 on a pilot basis. With a new concept like "career education" and any new course offering like "Introduction to Careers," a need exists to objectively evaluate the objectives, the development, the implementation, and the success of the program. The writer felt one of the most important evaluations of a new course is the value of the activities felt by the students and the measurement of change in behavior of students, as related to the objectives of the course. The students must see the relevancy of the course objectives and activities for career education to succeed.