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The application of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) education in solving real-world problems is challenging. To tackle this challenge, a project-based learning approach that integrates robots with cost-effective self-made toys to problem-solving was adopted to assist rural primary school students to apply STEM skills. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of the project-based learning approach which includes lecturing and hands-on activities on primary school students' STEM learning outcomes and attitudes. An experiment was conducted with 25 primary school students who voluntarily participated in a STEM summer-camp programme. Students were asked to assemble a paper house equipped with an IoT control module and LED light switches, and write and edit robot scripts to produce a robot-based storytelling narrative using the paper house they made as a context. The results show that the project-based learning approach was an effective approach for cultivating primary school students' STEM knowledge and skills as evidenced from the post-written test. The relationships between the students' STEM learning outcomes and attitudes were also confirmed by a clustering analysis. Students who had higher learning attitudes also achieved higher STEM learning outcomes; the findings are also supported by the feedback from the open-ended questionnaire items. This study suggests that integrating low-cost self-made toys and robots in project-based learning activities is an effective and practical approach to enhance primary school students' learning outcomes and learning attitudes in STEM education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates whether free access to scientific literature increases the participation of under‐represented groups in scientific discourse. To this end, we aggregate and match data tracing access to Sci‐Hub, a widely used black open access (OA) repository or shadow library, and publication data from the Web of Science (WoS). We treat the emergence of Sci‐Hub as an exogenous event granting relatively unrestricted access to publications, which are otherwise hidden behind a paywall. We analyze changes in the publication count of researchers from developing countries in a given journal as a proxy for general participation in scientific discourse. Our results indicate that in the exemplary field of mathematics, free access to academic knowledge is likely to improve the representation of authors from developing countries in international journals. Assuming the desirability of greater international diversity in science (e.g., to generate more original work, reproduce empirical findings in different settings, or shift the research focus toward topics that are overlooked by researchers from more developed countries), our findings lend evidence to the claim of the OA movement that scientific knowledge should be free and widely distributed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite its obvious relevance to computer science, computational thinking (CT) is transdisciplinary with the potential of impacting one's analytical ability. Although countless efforts have been invested across K‐12 education, there is a paucity of research at the postsecondary level about the extent to which CT can contribute to sustainable learning outcomes. Objectives: The current study examines how a series of Arduino‐based robotics learning activities capture the fuller essence of concepts related to CT. Methods: College students (n = 50) completed a series of six robotics learning activities. Think‐alouds, student reflections and performance scores were used to assess students' CT through a robotics challenge in virtual and physical learning environments. Results and Conclusions: Students verbalized CT concepts related to algorithmic thinking much more than abstraction, problem decomposition and testing and debugging. Students exposed to active learning performed better in a virtual robotics challenge compared to their peers in a traditional‐oriented classroom. Students' scores on the physical robotics challenge increased as a function of the number of references they made to CT concepts during the think‐alouds. It is possible to design pedagogical experiences that tap into various dimensions of CT at incremental levels of complexity through a series of Arduino‐based robotics activities. With the integration of an online simulation, students can visualize and transfer their CT skills between a virtual and physical learning environment, thus leading to more sustainable learning outcomes. Lay Description: What is already known about this topic: Computational thinking (CT) is the conceptual foundation for problem‐solving.CT shifted from unplugged to plugged activities.CT concepts can be fostered through educational robotics. What this paper adds: A multi‐dimensional approach to assessing CT.Applications of CT provide insights into skill transfer.An integrative theoretical approach to study the 'how' and the 'what' of CT. Implications for practice: Educational robotics activities can cater to a fuller range of CT skills.Virtual simulations with constructive feedback are beneficial for students in traditional settings.Mixed learning environments contribute to making links between lectures and labs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aims to establish the mechanism by which virtual reality (VR) media characteristics affect learning transfer in a VR‐based job‐training environment. The two main determinants of learning transfer are the technology and the learner, but not many studies have considered both factors simultaneously. Objectives: This study aims to ascertain the mechanism by which VR media characteristics affect learning transfer with flow as a mediator, and to explore whether presence moderates the effect of VR media characteristics on flow. Methods: A survey of semiconductor facilities engineers who received VR‐based job training was conducted. A total of 106 responses were used in the statistical analysis. A path analysis was conducted to determine the promotional mechanism that connects VR media characteristics, flow, and learning transfer. Results and Conclusions: The results were as follows. First, VR media characteristics had a positive impact on learning transfer. Second, flow acted as a mediator in the relationship between VR media characteristics and learning transfer. Third, presence played a moderating role in the relationship between VR media characteristics and flow. Key takeaways: This study is significant as it identifies elements to consider in relation to both the technological and learner aspects of VR while designing a VR‐based job‐training programme. A corporation should consider VR media characteristics from a technological perspective, and flow and presence from a learner's perspective. Lay Description: What is already known about this topic: Corporations provide virtual reality (VR)‐based job training because of its positive impact.Interactions between the VR environment and learners impact flow.Presence is important as learner's subjective awareness affects efficacy. What this paper adds: VR media characteristics influence learning transfer in VR‐based job training.VR media characteristics affect flow, which, in turn, affects learning transfer.Presence moderates the relationship between VR media characteristics and flow. Implications for practice and/or policy: VR media characteristics influence learning transfer in VR‐based job training.VR media characteristics affect flow, which, in turn, affects learning transfer.Presence moderates the relationship between VR media characteristics and flow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores how the use of smartphones vs. laptops influences students' engagement, behaviour and experience watching academic videos in a collaborative classroom. Experiments were run in authentic teaching sessions with a total of 483 first-year higher education students. The methodology applied is a quasi-experimental design with post-test-only, being the independent variable, the device used to visualise the academic videos. Results indicate that the use of laptops has provided better results in terms of student's engagement with the videos, their collaborative behaviour and satisfaction with the device. Hence, the findings of this research suggest that the type of mobile device used in activities that consider the use of videos in a collaborative class need to be carefully chosen to maximise the student's comfortability – and in consequence, their engagement with the video-based learning activity and their positive behaviour and experience within the collaborative context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: When the United States adopted Nemeth Code within Unified English Braille (UEB) Contexts and UEB Math/Science in 2016, students who were using braille had to learn a new code for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). In late 2016, Bell and Silverman surveyed students about their initial experiences transitioning to a new braille code. However, to date there has not been additional research that includes students' perspectives regarding the long-term effect of the transition to a new braille code on their ability to learn. The purpose of this study was to learn about students' experiences in transitioning to a new braille code, whether students receive STEM braille materials in a timely manner, the technology students use in STEM, and what advice students have for teachers of students with visual impairments. Methods: In the spring of 2021, 11 middle and high school students who use braille for STEM classes participated in one of three focus groups. The data were analyzed using open-coding methods. Results: All participants had initially learned the Nemeth Braille Code for Mathematics and Science Notation and subsequently transitioned to one of the new braille codes. Students typically characterized learning a new braille code as easy. Most of the students had experienced delays in receiving braille materials, which sometimes negatively affected their ability to learn. Students reported using a variety of mainstream and assistive technologies. Discussion: Students should have consistent access to high-quality STEM materials in a timely manner in the braille code that they prefer. The students in this study articulated their preferences and were willing to advocate for themselves to overcome learning challenges in their STEM courses. Implications for Practitioners: Teachers of students with visual impairments can partner with general education STEM teachers and administrators to resolve persistent issues. Teachers can encourage students to voice their preferences and assist students in developing strategies before challenges arise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: American Student Placements and Internships in Rehabilitation Engineering is founded on the principal of sparking the interest in a new generation of rehabilitation engineering scientists to transform the lives of older adults and people with disabilities. Each year a minimum of 10 students were enrolled. Methods: The internship runs for 10 weeks and activities center on developing excitement about technology and engineering and understanding the principles and processes of conducting rehabilitation engineering research. This was accomplished by student participation in 1) rehabilitation engineering research projects; 2) educational research training, and 3) professional activities with clinical and engineering faculty, staff, and graduate students. Of the 162 participants, 53% were women and 47% men. 23% of participants were from minority or underrepresented groups, and 18% identified as having a disability. Results: From post-internship follow-up efforts, 65% of program participants went on to pursue or have graduated with advanced degrees, 27% of whom are engineers from underrepresented groups. Of those students that are working post-baccalaureate, 70% are engineers working in a biomedical/technology field. In the past 3 years, 92% of students stated that the program met or exceeded their expectations, while 100% of the 2018 group felt that their expectations were met. Conclusion: The American Student Placements and Internships in Rehabilitation Engineering program has demonstrated efficacy in preparing undergraduate students for future academic work and employment. Creative researchers and designers will lead the way in advancing accessibility standards and engineering for people with disabilities. The ASPIRE program increases excitement for and interest in the fields of rehabilitation engineering among undergraduate students to positively influence academic and professional careers. Students enrolled in the ASPIRE program actively participated in a real multidisciplinary project supervised by professor mentors. This led students to take a problem-based approach in their professional development. The ASPIRE program stimulates rehabilitation engineering in students' mindset and promotes inclusive academic environments and communities. Rehabilitation engineering is not a mainstream discipline, but the ASPIRE program indicates that there are benefits to student education, including participatory action engineering, that need to continue gain momentum until rehabilitation engineering is a mainstream discipline or a core component of engineering education. We must move beyond a "survival of the fittest" mentality. A "survival of the fittest" model places a disproportionate burden on groups that are underrepresented in science and engineering, and thereby postpones the day on which the demographics of science and engineering are comparable to that of society as a whole. The ASPIRE program needs to be replicated at various institutions around the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Faculty from diverse disciplines are involved in teaching servicelearning where reflection is an essential component. This qualitative study explores disciplinary differences in understanding reflection and use of reflective pedagogy. We interviewed faculty (N = 24) from 18 departments to examine differences in how they conceive and practice reflective pedagogy in service-learning courses. We found that disciplinary differences are a factor in how faculty conceive and practice reflection. Faculty from health and social care disciplines demonstrated an advantage compared to colleagues from other fields. Further, we found that how faculty conceive reflection is a factor in reflective practice. Conceptualizations of reflection, which are more student-referent or learner-focused, correlate with the more intense and effective practice of reflective pedagogy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Internationally, innovation represents the lifeblood of modern economies. In particular, there is growing recognition of the vital role of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) educators in developing students' innovation skills for the jobs of the future. Work-integrated learning (WIL) has emerged as an important pedagogical approach for developing innovation capabilities. This paper is based on a quantitative study that examines the key factors driving innovation in STEM WIL students. The study undertakes a comparative analysis of students by age, gender, degree type, and placement duration. It found that students participating in longer durations of 20 weeks compared to 12 weeks had higher perceived levels of innovation skills. The study shows how feedback on skills can be provided to students and employers, with output from the tool used in this study. Therefore, it has implications for student career literacy, industry outreach and WIL program development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Visual model comprehension and application are important for success in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) courses. As educational materials shift to primarily digital content with dynamic interactive visuals, students with visual impairments are at risk for being disadvantaged, since few interactives are born accessible. To fill this gap of accessible digital STEM learning tools, we designed and tested the Kasi Learning System. Kasi uses tactile manipulatives and computer vision with audio-based augmented reality algorithms to provide a multisensory experience of an interactive digital image. Methods: Ten high school students who are visually impaired (ie, blind or have low vision) participated in an underpowered random control study to evaluate the feasibility and usability of Kasi by completing an active learning lesson. The control group was instructed by a human, whereas the Kasi group was instructed by a computer. Follow-up interviews with both students and their instructors provided further insight. Results: Comparing the experiences of the two groups suggests that Kasi is an effective instructor for completing the activity. Comparison of students who chose to use braille versus large-print pieces revealed that braille users found the system to be easier to use. Discussion: All students efficiently identified the pieces. Regarding the audio, students who do not typically use a screen reader repeated the prompts more frequently and took longer to adapt to the system. Those in the Kasi group demonstrated increased engagement as shown by the increase in submitted answers. Overall, Kasi users' performance improved significantly during the lesson. Implications for Practitioners: Kasi is most readily adapted and used by those who do not rely on vision. However, students with low vision may benefit from using a tool like Kasi earlier in their schooling to strengthen their auditory and tactile skills. Kasi appears to have the potential to provide students independence in studying STEM diagrams. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Little research has examined the associations between perceived inclusivity within informal science learning sites, youth program belonging and perceptions of program career preparation. This study explored relations between these factors at three timepoints (T1 = start of program, T2 = 3 months and T3 = 12 months after start). Participants were a diverse sample of 209 adolescents participating in STEM youth programs within informal science learning sites situated in the United States and United Kingdom (70% females: Mage = 15.27, SDage = 1.60), with 53.1% British and 64.1% non-White. Path analysis revealed that only perceptions of inclusivity for own social identity group (i.e., gender, ethnicity) at T1 were associated with T2 STEM youth program belonging. There was a significant indirect effect of T1 perceptions of inclusivity for one's own social identity groups on T3 perceptions of program career preparation via T2 program belonging. This study highlights that, over time, perceptions of inclusivity around youth's own social identity groups (i.e., gender and ethnicity/culture) are related to a sense of youth program belonging, which in turn is later associated with perceptions of program career preparation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Little research has examined the popular belief that individuals with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are more likely than the general population to gravitate toward science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. This study analyzed data from the National Longitudinal Transition Study-2, a nationally representative sample of students with an ASD in special education. Findings suggest that students with an ASD had the highest STEM participation rates although their college enrollment rate was the third lowest among 11 disability categories and students in the general population. Disproportionate postsecondary enrollment and STEM participation by gender, family income, and mental functioning skills were found for young adults with an ASD. Educational policy implications are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Organizational factors including a proper safety culture are among the important contributors of major accidents in process industries OBJECTIVE: This study evaluates and compares the dimensions of safety culture maturity (SCM) and resilience engineering (RE) among 423 employees of government-owned drilling companies (GODC) and private drilling companies (PDC) located in Azar oilfield, Ilam province, southwest of Iran. METHODS: The maturity of safety culture was measured using the modified version of Hudson safety culture maturity questionnaire and RE performance was studied using the resilience analysis gird (RAG). The relationship between RE and the SCM was discussed according to Hollnagel conceptual model. RESULTS: The results showed that lowest and highest levels of SCM in all dimensions were observed in the pathological (11.75%) and reactive (28%) levels, respectively. However, high levels of SCM have not been established in any of the studied drilling companies. The status of SCM dimensions and levels as well as RE performance was better in PDC compared to GODC which is consistent with their safety performance lagging indicators. CONCLUSION: This study showed that RE abilities could be improved by establishment of high levels of safety culture maturity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we investigated the validity of a stealth assessment of physics understanding in an educational game, as well as the effectiveness of different game‐level delivery methods and various in‐game supports on learning. Using a game called Physics Playground, we randomly assigned 263 ninth‐ to eleventh‐grade students into four groups: adaptive, linear, free choice and no‐treatment control. Each condition had access to the same in‐game learning supports during gameplay. Results showed that: (a) the stealth assessment estimates of physics understanding were valid—significantly correlating with the external physics test scores; (b) there was no significant effect of game‐level delivery method on students' learning; and (c) physics animations were the most effective (among eight supports tested) in predicting both learning outcome and in‐game performance (e.g. number of game levels solved). We included student enjoyment, gender and ethnicity in our analyses as moderators to further investigate the research questions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The food truck industry has rapidly expanded in the United States and kitchen environments can contain harmful contaminants from cooking emissions. The objective of this study was to examine the levels of aldehydes, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and Particulate Matter (PM)2.5 generated from cooking process in food trucks. Methods : Area sampling was performed twice at two participating food trucks during work shifts. Nine aldehydes and eighteeen PAHs were analyzed according to the relevant standard methods while PM2.5 was measured with a real time monitor. Ventilation performance of the food truck exhaust hoods was also investigated using a thermal anemometer. Findings : Formaldehyde was the only aldehyde detected in all samples with a concentration range of 7.16 to 53.68 µg/m3. No PAHs were detected above the limit of quantification. Average PM2.5 concentrations ranged from 0.65 to 7.03 mg/m3. Food Trucks 1 and 2 have an average exhaust flow rate of 211 and 215 L/s per linear meter of hood, respectively. Conclusions/Application to practice : Overall, Food Truck 2 had consistently higher levels of aldehydes and PM2.5 with comparable ventilation performance as Food Truck 1. The higher exposure levels of Food Truck 2 could possibly be attributed to a larger volume of food orders and the heavy duty cooking equipment with an exhaust flow rate below the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) recommendations. Although more investigations need to be performed, the findings could be used to raise awareness of food truck workers and health practitioners to reduce potential exposure risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To provide empirical evidence on learning barriers and facilitators in instructional science and engineering laboratory settings from a national survey on students with physical disabilities (SwD-P). Methods: A nationwide self-report survey, the Full Participation Science and Engineering Accessibility (FPSEA), was disseminated online via Qualtrics. Approximately 1200 organizations and universities across the United States were contacted through purposive sampling. Descriptive statistics were primarily used for the analysis of the results. Results: Survey findings reveal that students experience a wide range of limitations to full participation in the laboratory, from entering the laboratory (25%) to being given passive roles (50%). Additionally, while 66% of respondents indicated that instructors were willing to help SwD-P participate in science and engineering (S&E) laboratories, 16.8% were not willing to do so, and 47% SwD-P felt that practices were not in place to provide accommodations. The survey also reveals a range of facilitators such as elevators, ramps, accessible course materials and peer assistance. Most respondents (74%) also indicated that peers were helpful in completing laboratory tasks. Conclusion: This survey provides empirical evidence that was previously voiced through non-empirical information in the literature. Participants cited barriers such as inappropriate accommodations and instructors' negative viewpoints, as well as gaining access to facilities even after the enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). These findings suggest that while ADA has lessened some barriers to SwD-P, barriers remain in using the laboratory space. The FPSEA survey fills the gap in finding barriers and facilitators to using S&E laboratories from the SwD-P's perspective. Barriers students with disabilities encounter in science and engineering (S&E) laboratory environments remain unclear. The FPSEA survey fills the gap in finding barriers and facilitators to using S&E laboratories from the SwD-P's perspective. The FPSEA survey allows former and current SwD-P to share their experiences using a postsecondary S&E instructional laboratory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose:Youth with disabilities are under-represented in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) in school and in the workforce. One encouraging approach to engage youth’s interest in STEM is through robotics; however, such programs are mostly for typically developing youth. The purpose of this study was to understand the development and implementation of an adapted robotics program for children and youth with disabilities and their experiences within it. Method:Our mixed methods pilot study (pre- and post-workshop surveys, observations, and interviews) involved 41 participants including: 18 youth (aged 6–13), 12 parents and 11 key informants. The robotics program involved 6, two-hour workshops held at a paediatric hospital. Results:Our findings showed that several adaptations made to the robotics program helped to enhance the participation of children with disabilities. Adaptations addressed the educational/curriculum, cognitive and learning, physical and social needs of the children. In regards to experiences within the adapted hospital program, our findings highlight that children enjoyed the program and learned about computer programming and building robots. Conclusions:Clinicians and educators should consider engaging youth with disabilities in robotics to enhance learning and interest in STEM. Implications for RehabilitationClinicians and educators should consider adapting curriculum content and mode of delivery of LEGO® robotics programs to include youth with disabilities.Appropriate staffing including clinicians and educators who are knowledgeable about youth with disabilities and LEGO® robotics are needed.Clinicians should consider engaging youth with disabilities in LEGO® to enhance learning and interest in STEM. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Individuals who are deaf and hard-of-hearing (DHH) are underrepresented in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professions, and this may be due in part to their level of preparation in the development and retention of mathematical and problem-solving skills. An approach was developed that incorporates experiential learning and best practices of STEM instruction to give first-year DHH students enrolled in a postsecondary STEM program the opportunity to develop problem-solving skills in real-world scenarios. Using an industrial engineering laboratory that provides manufacturing and warehousing environments, students were immersed in real-world scenarios in which they worked on teams to address prescribed problems encountered during the activities. The highly structured, Plan-Do-Check-Act approach commonly used in industry was adapted for the DHH student participants to document and communicate the problem-solving steps. Students who experienced the intervention realized a 14.6% improvement in problem-solving proficiency compared with a control group, and this gain was retained at 6 and 12 months, post-intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Physical environments influence how individuals perceive a space and behave within it. Previous research has revealed deficiencies in ship engine department work environments, and their impact on crew productivity, health and wellbeing. OBJECTIVE: Connect operational task demands to pragmatic physical design and layout solutions by implementing a user-centric perspective. METHODS: Three focus groups, each consisting of three marine engineers participated in this study. Focus groups were divided into two sessions: first, to investigate the end-user's operational requirements and their relationship with ship physical design and layout. Second, criteria formulated from group discussions were applied to a ship design case study. All focus group sessions were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. The data were analyzed using Grounded Theory. RESULTS: Design choices made in a ships general arrangement were described to inherently influence how individuals and teams are able to function within the system. Participants detailed logistical relationships between key areas, stressing that the work environment and physical linkages must allow for flexibility of work organization and task execution. CONCLUSIONS: Traditional engine control paradigms do not allow effective mitigation of traditional engine department challenges. The influence of technology and modernization of ship systems can facilitate improvement of physical environments and work organization if effectively utilized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although much research indicates positive safety climate is associated with reduced safety risk, we argue this association is not universal and may even be reversed in some contexts. Specifically, we argue that positive safety climate can be associated with increased safety risk when there is pressure to prioritize production over safety and where workers have some detachment from the consequences of their actions, such as found in engineering design work. We used two indicators of safety risk: use of heuristics at the individual level and design complexity at the design team level. Using experience sampling data (N = 165, 42 design teams, k = 5752 observations), we found design engineers’ perceptions of team positive safety climate were associated with less use of heuristics when engineers were not working to deadlines, but more use of heuristics when engineers were working to deadlines. Independent ratings were obtained of 31 teams’ designs of offshore oil and gas platforms (N = 121). For teams that worked infrequently to deadlines, positive team safety climate was associated with less design complexity. For teams that worked frequently to deadlines, positive team safety climate was associated with more design complexity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using an iterative design along with multiple methodological approaches and a large representative sample, this study presents reliability, validity, and fairness evidence for two surveys measuring student attitudes toward science, technology, engineering, and math (S-STEM) and interest in STEM careers for (a) 4th- through 5th-grade students (Upper Elementary S-STEM) and (b) 6th- through 12th-grade students (Middle/High S-STEM). Findings from exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) suggested the use of a four-factor structure to measure student attitudes toward science, math, engineering/technology, and 21st century skills. Subject matter experts and literature reviews provided evidence of content validity. Reliability levels were high for both versions. Furthermore, both the Upper Elementary S-STEM and Middle/High S-STEM Surveys demonstrated evidence of configural, metric, and scalar invariance across grade levels, races/ethnicities, and genders. The findings support the validity of interpretations and inferences made from scores on the instruments’ items and subscales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The benefits of walking are widely recognized. In this regard, the Norwegian government has urged local authorities to develop walking strategies. The aim of such strategies is to influence a local walking culture and framework conditions for pedestrians. Older citizens are an important focus group because what is an accessible environment for them can be attractive for all groups. The primary aim of this study is to improve our understanding of how physical, social and individual factors affect whether older groups perceive that they need, can and want to walk. Second, we show how a mixed-method approach for collecting data gives an important input when planning a walking strategy. Combining quantitative and qualitative data gave deeper insights into how elders perceived their walking environment. The three steps (survey, participatory observation and workshop) made it possible to involve elders and practitioners from the municipality and the Norwegian Public Roads Administration directly in the study. This gave first-hand experience about how to facilitate the environment for older pedestrians. The findings suggest that the need, can and want dimensions of walking interact and reinforce each other. We find that measures affecting more than one such dimension seem to provide the best response for walking activity. This can be important for practitioners to take into consideration when developing good walking areas in the city. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our research capitalized on a naturalistic data collection opportunity to investigate responses to experimental evidence of gender bias within science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). We analyzed 831 written comments made by members of the public in response to three prominent articles reporting on experimental evidence of science faculty members’ gender biases. Utilizing a mixed-method approach (i.e., thematic and quantitative analysis), we identified the nature and frequency of positive and negative responses, and we investigated possible gender and professional differences in what commenters wrote. Although acknowledgment of gender bias was the most prevalent category, a wide range of positive (e.g., calls for social change) and negative (e.g., justifications of gender bias) reactions emerged. Among the subsample of 423 comments for which it was possible to code commenters’ gender, gender differences arose for the majority of categories, such that men were more likely than women to post negative responses and women were more likely than men to post positive responses. Results were unaffected by commenters’ own STEM field affiliation. We discuss implications for the role of clearly demonstrated bias in prejudice recognition and reduction as well as the development of STEM diversity interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Little is known about postsecondary pathways and persistence among college students with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This study analyzed data from the National Longitudinal Transition Study-2, 2001-2009, a nationally representative sample of students in special education with an ASD who progressed from high school to postsecondary education. Findings suggest that most college students with an ASD enrolled in a 2-year community college at some point in the postsecondary careers (81 %). Those in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields were more likely to persist in a 2-year community college and were twice as likely to transfer from a 2-year community college to a 4-year university than their peers in the non-STEM fields. College persistence rates varied by gender, race, parent education level, and college pathway and major. Educational policy implications are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a field experiment, we investigated the impact of a 'strange' recruitment medium on the quantity and quality of the applicant pool. Recruiting through an unusual medium (i.e., postcard) was associated with higher applicant pool quantity, as compared to a more frequently used medium (i.e., e-mail). With respect to quality, applicants recruited through the strange medium were higher educated. A follow-up questionnaire confirmed that the media were perceived to differ in strangeness, not in media richness or credibility. These results suggest that 'changing things up' in recruitment by employing strange recruitment media can positively affect key recruitment outcomes. Practitioner points Employing 'strange' recruitment media can enhance the effectiveness of recruitment (i.e., applicant quantity and quality)., 'Changing things up' in recruitment may help organizations to differentiate themselves from competitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blue collar workers generally report high job stress and are exposed to loud noises at work and engage in many of risky health behavioral factors, all of which have been associated with poor sleep quality. However, sleep quality of blue collar workers has not been studied extensively, and no studies have focused Operating Engineers (heavy equipment operators) among whom daytime fatigue would place them at high risk for accidents. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine variables associated with sleep quality among Operating Engineers. This was a cross-sectional survey design with a dependent variable of sleep quality and independent variables of personal and related health behavioral factors. A convenience sample of 498 Operating Engineers was recruited from approximately 16,000 Operating Engineers from entire State of Michigan in 2008. Linear regression was used to determine personal and related health behavior factors associated with sleep quality. Multivariate analyses showed that personal factors related to poor sleep quality were younger age, female sex, higher pain, more medical comorbidities and depressive symptoms and behavioral factors related to poor sleep quality were nicotine dependence. While sleep scores were similar to population norms, approximately 34 % (n = 143) showed interest in health services for sleep problems. While many personal factors are not changeable, interventions to improve sleep hygiene as well as interventions to treat pain, depression and smoking may improve sleep quality resulting in less absenteeism, fatal work accidents, use of sick leave, work disability, medical comorbidities, as well as subsequent mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The study aimed to explicate the levels of physical activity, the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and the perceived quality of life in construction site managers. Participants: Twenty two site managers working at a site in National Institute of Industrial Engineering (NITIE), Mumbai were selected for the study. Methods: The participants responded to Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) and the World Health Organization's (WHO), Quality of Life (QOL), and General Physical Activity (GPAQ) Questionnaires. Results: In Quality of Life (QOL), 55% of the participants fell under 'good' psychological domain, while 55% categorized their work environment as 'poor'. Among musculoskeletal problems, low back pain and upper back pain was predominantly reported by the managers. Total physical activity was observed to be 836 Metabolic Equivalent of Task-minutes/week (MET-minutes/week). Conclusion: Although the Construction managers were not involved in any kind of rigorous work at the workplace, they were observed to be suffering from musculoskeletal problems of the back. 'Poor' category of environmental domain suggested that the working conditions needed to be improved and could be a reason for their ailment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to accommodate the desired percentage of the target users of a product, decisions must be made to ensure that the design satisfies performance requirements such as user safety, comfort, and ease of use. The marketing concept of “utility theory” is one approach to quantifying the effects of design decisions. It is leveraged in this study to develop a design evaluation approach that considers: a) factors that may be either design-related (design specifications) or user-related (relevant body dimensions) and b) the raw material investment in the design. Based on data collected during a usage behavior study involving doorways of numerous sizes, a conditional logit model was developed to predict the utility of a doorway as a function of its size and the user’s stature and shoulder breadth. Next, an eco-design parameter was incorporated into the model as a penalty based on raw material usage. This approach was found to be useful in studying frequently encountered tradeoffs in decisions that could potentially increase product sustainability but could also reduce the utility of the product to the user. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stereotype threat is an uncomfortable psychological state that has been shown to impair cognitive ability test scores. It is an open question whether and in what ways it affects processes involved in learning and knowledge acquisition. This research examined whether stereotypes also interfere with test preparation among women in the domain of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Study 1 (N = 1058) revealed that people are aware of a stereotype portraying women as less proficient in STEM-test preparation than men. Women's note-taking activities were impaired under stereotype threat (Study 2, N = 40), particularly when domain identification was high (Study 3, N = 79). Moreover, stereotype threat impaired women's performance evaluating the notes of others (Study 4, N = 88). Our work thus shows that stereotype threat not only hinders stereotyped individuals' capacity to demonstrate their abilities but also impairs behaviors that develop them. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]