title: A novel paradigm for engineering education: virtual internships with individualized mentoring and assessment of engineering thinking.
abstract: Engineering virtual internships are a novel paradigm for providing authentic engineering experiences in the first-year curriculum. They are both individualized and accommodate large numbers of students. As we describe in this report, this approach can (a) enable students to solve complex engineering problems in a mentored, collaborative environment; (b) allow educators to assess engineering thinking; and (c) provide an introductory experience that students enjoy and find valuable. Furthermore, engineering virtual internships have been shown to increase students'-and especially women's-interest in and motivation to pursue engineering degrees. When implemented in first-year engineering curricula more broadly, the potential impact of engineering virtual internships on the size and diversity of the engineering workforce could be dramatic.
authors.forename: Naomi C
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Chesler
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Ruis
authors.forename: Wesley
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Collier
authors.forename: Zachari
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Swiecki
authors.forename: Golnaz
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Arastoopour
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Williamson Shaffer
mesh_terms: D020375:Education, Distance; D004738:Engineering / Q000193:education*; D007396:Internship and Residency; D008611:Mentors; D009042:Motivation