Developing Community and Research Experience In A Freshman Mechanical Engineering Programming Course

In this paper, group research projects in a freshman Mechanical Engineering programming course are examined as a method to better integrate and engage first-generation students and to generate interest in research and research careers.First-generation students have been found to have an achievement gap, possibly due to social isolation and a lack of cultural capital.Creating project groups that maintain connection and interaction within the course was found to be important in a survey of students in supporting their learning.Adding a research-based project to this group work has been designed to further engage these students in campus life and introduce them to potential academic and career options.