Thursday, March 23. 1-2 p.m., The BOLD Center

Two CU Engineering researchers are looking for feedback on proposed research focusing on engineering students from a first-generation or low-socioeconomic status background.

Teaching Professors Melinda Zarske (Integrated Design Engineering) and Kathryn Wingate (Smead Aerospace), along with a colleague at the University of Michigan, are creating an engineering education research proposal to study the barriers that engineering students face and the resources that they use. All of them have seen—or personally experienced—what it’s like to be a first-generation or low-SES student in engineering, and they are committed to working with students to understand and share their experiences. A big part of their research will be engaging and empowering students to help make impactful change that really benefits them!

While we’re just beginning to write the proposal, we want to engage students from the start. So, we’re looking for students who identify as first-generation and/or from a low-SES background to join us for a focus group over lunch. Participants will provide feedback on our research questions, and we’ll provide lunch. You’ll also receive $25 for participating.ÌýIf you’re interested in participating, please e-mail me at malinda.zarske@colorado.edu. If you’re not interested in participating but know someone in engineering who might be, we ask that you please forward this e-mail to them.