Femalized AEC Kinesthetic Learning Model

Meet the Team

Program Director

Mercy Fash

Ms. Mercy is a Ph.D. Candidate in the Applied Science and Technology program. She is also an affiliate of the EBEW center and has received several scholarships and awards for the innovative work she is doing on increasing female representation in AEC careers. She developed the femalized AEC kinesthetic Learning model (fAEC-KLM) that uses hands-on and experiential learning to engage and inspire young girls in traditionally male-dominated fields like AEC.

Founding Director/Associate Professor

Dr. Andrea Ofori-Boadu

Dr. Andrea Ofori-Boadu is an Associate Professor of Construction Science and Management at North Carolina A & T State University and the founding director of the EBEW center. She is the recipient of several awards. She supervised the development and implementation of the fAEC-KLM. She also served as a successful female AEC African American professional detailing her journey from childhood to becoming an AEC professional to the participants. She is also

Lead Presenter/Chairperson

Dr. Alesia Ferguson

Dr. Alesia Ferguson is the Chairperson of the Department of Built Environment at North Carolina A & T State University and the Institutional Compliance Lead for the EBEW center. She is the recipient of several awards. She served as the Lead Presenter and taught participants about bridges. She also served as a successful female AEC African American professional and narrated her success story from childhood to becoming an AEC professional to the participants.

Support Team

Foluke Adelabu - Camp Volunteer/Technical Support (Graduate Student - AST, PhD)
Khalil McKoy - Camp Volunteer (Undergraduate Student)
Keziah Floyd - Camp Volunteer (Undergraduate Student)
Ka'Nesha Maggette - Female AEC Undergraduate Panelist (Construction Management)
Malloy Shamwell - Female AEC Undergraduate Panelist (Construction Management)
Demetrius Moore - Male AEC Undergraduate Panelist (Construction Management)

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About Femalized Architecture, Engineering, and Construction Kinesthetic Learning Model (fAEC-KLM)

The Femalized Architecture, Engineering, and Construction Kinesthetic Learning Model (fAEC-KLM) aims to address the underrepresentation of African American women in AEC fields by fostering early interest and confidence in these disciplines. This project will create an innovative educational framework that uses hands-on, experiential learning tailored to the unique learning styles of middle school girls. Through immersive activities, mentorship, and interactions, fAEC-KLM will enhance knowledge, self-efficacy, outcome expectations, and interest in AEC careers among African American middle school girls. This model was first implemented in the 2023 STEAM Activated! Summer Camp. All activities within the fAEC-KLM were video recorded, translated, and tracked to document impacts of the model on the participants. To measure the impact of the fAEC-KLM on the participants, interviews, surveys, and tests were administered before and after interaction with the model.

Objectives

Increase AEC career-related Knowledge: Equip African American middle school girls with foundational knowledge in AEC fields through engaging, hands-on learning experiences.
Boost Self-efficacy: Build confidence in their abilities to pursue and succeed in AEC disciplines.
Enhance Outcome Expectations: Clarify the potential career paths and benefits associated with AEC careers, including economic, social and personal rewards.
Stimulate Interest: Foster a lasting interest in AEC careers by making learning fun, relevant, and accessible.

Expected Outcomes

Significant increase in AEC career-related knowledge among participants.
Improved self-efficacy and confidence in pursuing AEC careers.
Enhanced understanding of the potential outcomes and benefits of AEC careers.
Increase interest in AEC fields, leading to higher enrollment in related high school courses and extra-curricular activities.

fAEC-KLM Components

1. Lecture on AEC and fAEC-KLM

2. Lecture on self-efficacy and identity

3. Lecture on bridge design and construction

4. Interaction with peers

5. Interaction with teammates

6. Interaction with undergraduate panelists

7. Bridge design

8. Bridge construction

9. Incorporation of feminine products to project design and construction

10. Interaction with instructors

11. Mathematical calculations for bridges

12. Project presentation

13. Response to questions asked by participants

14. Awards ceremony

15. Documentary of African American AEC professionals

16. Success stories of female African American AEC undergraduate students from childhood to being an AEC student

17. Classroom setting

18. Teamwork

19. Lunch

20. Lecture on salary benefits of AEC professionals

Lunch

Interviews conducted showed that participants valued the lunch as one of the most effective components of the fAEC-KLM. Already paid lunches were provided for participants at the campus cafeteria. Participants took short walks to the cafeteria each day following different routes to get a glimpse of the North Carolina A & T State University campus.

Bridge Design and Construction

Bridge design and construction also emerged as one of the most effective components of the fAEC-KLM. A lecture on the types of bridges, forces acting on bridges, sustainable materials used for bridge construction, and mathematical calculations for bridge construction was presented to the students (PowerPoint presentation is available under the "Resources" section). Participants were asked to sketch out a bridge design before placed in groups of two where they chose of the designs and built it with the materials provided. Guidelines for this project were provided as seen in the Guidelines for Bridge design and construction link under the "Resources" section.

Positive and interesting results are already beginning to show from the analysis on data collected from the implementation of the fAEC-KLM. Findings and publications will be included soon.

This model can be replicated in school curriculums and also Out-of-School-Time (OST) programs. Links to all documents used for this project are at the bottom of this page under resources.

Presentations

NAWIC Presentation - April 11,

2024 NC A & T Graduate Symposium - This presentation won the first-runner-up award.

Publications:

In progress...

fAEC-KLM Impacts

The first implementation of the fAEC-KLM resulted in the following increases: 66% AEC Knowledge, 74% AEC Self-efficacy, 92% AEC Outcome Expectations, and 47% AEC Interest. This model can make broader impacts when applied to a larger group of African American pre-college girls.

Resources

Links to all documentation used for the fAEC-KLM are provided here. Using these documents, the fAEC-KLM can be adopted and replicated by educational sectors.

Recruitment flyer

Summer camp schedule

Pilot Study Findings

Pre-Interview Questions

Post-Interview Questions

Qualtrics-based Pre-Survey

Qualtrics-based Post-Survey

Qualtrics-based Pre-Test

Qualtrics-based Post-Test

fAEC-KLM Presentation

Bridges

Guidelines for Bridge Design and Construction