Using Active Learning and the Wright State Model for Engineering Mathematics Education to Cultivate Academic Success among First-Year Engineering Students

A mid-sized private university in the Southeast has created an experimental first-year engineering course based on the Wright State Model for Engineering Mathematics Education. The course aims to increase student retention, motivation, and success in engineering through an application-oriented, hands-on introduction to engineering mathematics. Therefore, active learning techniques were used throughout the course. Students provided preliminary qualitative data via end-of-course evaluations. Preliminary quantitative data included student course grades, cumulative GPAs (CGPAs), and retention rates. Thus far, students taking the experimental firstyear engineering course believe they gain confidence and skills such as problem-solving, time management, study habits, computer programming, as well as real-world applications of math and physics. Thus far, over 80% of students have earned a grade of C or better in the experimental first-year engineering course along with their pre-calculus or calculus class. More than 80% of students have also maintained a CGPA above a 2.0