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Published: September 11, 2024 • By Wendy Martin 

Jessica Rush Leeker has been awarded a $2M National Science Foundation grant to advance her research on creating informal learning resources out of a structured, formal environment that promotes the participation of Black families in engineering. Her work focuses on developing pathways for Black families to engage in engineering practices and see themselves as integral members of the engineering community.  

Jessica Rush Leeker 

Leeker's project, supported by the $2M National Science Foundation grant, is a collaborative effort. In partnership with Lauren Mims from New York University and Tamecia Jones from North Carolina State, Leeker will co-develop informal learning resources with Black families. These resources, designed for children aged six to ten, will provide opportunities to engage in various engineering activities at home. The aim is to encourage children to consider engineering careers by allowing them to engage in engineering practices such as empathizing, defining, ideating, prototyping, and testing. 

A Real-life, Community-driven Project 

For Leeker, this grant presents an invaluable opportunity to expand her innovative research on the role of informal learning in engineering education among Black families. This project will explore how these identity-affirming resources can foster children's engineering identities and interests by connecting them with their historical and cultural roots, enhancing their sense of belonging and confidence in engineering fields. 

Leeker's research will involve co-developing these resources with Black families across various settings in the United States. By capturing and analyzing interactions between caregivers and children, as well as the children's creations and reflections, Leeker aims to understand how these informal educational experiences shape children's perceptions of their capabilities and potential careers in engineering. 

“We plan to develop educational tools and frameworks that can be replicated beyond the initial study, enhancing the broader educational landscape by incorporating these rich cultural narratives into engineering education,” Leeker said. “This will not only benefit the participating families but also create a model that can be adapted and used in other contexts, transforming how underrepresented groups engage with engineering globally.” 

Leeker believes this research can significantly increase diversity and inclusion in engineering fields by reconnecting children with their legacies of innovation and problem-solving. Their goal is to build bridges between generations, linking personal and communal histories with contemporary educational and professional opportunities in engineering. This approach is expected to enrich children's academic and personal development, thereby broadening participation and success rates among underrepresented in engineering disciplines. 

Inclusion of Other Populations 

“This grant is a testament to the importance of creating inclusive educational resources that reflect the diversity of our communities. I am excited to see how these informal learning tools can inspire the next generation of Black engineers and innovators. We hope to expand these efforts to other underrepresented populations in STEM,” Leeker said. “By partnering with Black families, we can develop educational materials that teach engineering concepts and celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Black scientists and engineers. This approach is crucial for fostering a sense of identity and belonging in STEM fields, and we aim to extend this inclusive model to other communities as well.” 

Future Aspirations 

“Our goal is to create a sustainable model for informal engineering education that can be replicated across different contexts. This project will serve as a blueprint for engaging underrepresented communities in meaningful and impactful ways, with the potential to adapt and apply these methods to a wider range of populations,” Leeker added. 

Engagement and Dissemination 

The resulting deliverables from Leeker's research will include video workshops for caregivers, easy-to-use engineering activities, and wide dissemination of findings, public media, high-traffic repositories, and professional networks of science and engineering educators. The empirical findings will also be shared widely via professional conferences and journals in educational research. 

Ultimately, Leeker's project aims to broaden participation in engineering among the Black population, who remain underrepresented in engineering pathways and careers. This grant supports a vision of developing new approaches to STEM learning in informal environments, providing multiple pathways for broadening access to and engagement in engineering education.