Janet Callahan

Boise State University, Materials Science and Engineering, Faculty Member

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Janet Callahan is the Associate Dean for the College of Engineering at Boise State University and a
Professor in the Materials Science and Engineering Department. Dr. Callahan received her Ph.D. in
Materials Science, her M.S. in Metallurgy and her B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of
Connecticut.
Address: Boise, United States

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Papers by Janet Callahan

Non-surgical and non-pharmacological interventions for congenital muscular torticollis in the 0-5 year age group

Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2018

This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (Intervention). The objectives are as follows: To determ... more

Redshirt in Engineering: A Model for Improving Equity and Inclusion

She works on the evaluation of several projects aimed at improving diversity, equity, and inclusi... more She works on the evaluation of several projects aimed at improving diversity, equity, and inclusion in STEM fields. She also conducts research on the socialpsychological and institutional forces that contribute to the persistence of race and class inequalities in the United States. Emily earned a PhD and MA in Sociology from the University of Washington, and a BA in Sociology from Smith College.

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Effects Of Service Learning Implemented In An Introductory Engineering Course On Student Attitudes And Abilities In The Context Of Abet Outcomes

She was employed at Hewlett Packard for 16 years where she held a variety of positions in Quality... more She was employed at Hewlett Packard for 16 years where she held a variety of positions in Quality Assurance, Manufacturing and Marketing. She also served as the Development Director at the Discovery Center of Idaho, a hands-on science center. Carol introduced service learning into the Introduction to Engineering course during the spring 2009 semester. She continues to expand and refine the program.

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Coherent Calculus Course Design: Creating Faculty Buy-in for Student Success

This paper recounts the process used and results achieved as first-semester Calculus at Boise Sta... more This paper recounts the process used and results achieved as first-semester Calculus at Boise State University was transformed over a period of approximately 16 months from a collection of independent, uncoordinated, personalized sections, into a single coherent multi-section course. During the process of this transformation, section size and the instructor pool remained relatively constant; however, profound changes were made across all sections in terms of pedagogy, homework, timing of course content, grade computation and exam content. The motivation for focusing on Calculus I arose from a five-year National Science Foundation Science Talent Expansion Program grant that was awarded in 2010 to a multi-disciplinary team that spanned engineering, mathematics and science. A major grant objective was to raise firstsemester, full-time retention of students in STEM majors. The projects supported several yearlong faculty learning communities (FLCs) of about 10 instructors each. With significant involvement from mathematics faculty, the first two FLCs prepared the ground for pedagogical reform of calculus. In 2013-14, a final FLC was created with the express purpose of implementing consistent, student-learning focused strategies across several section of calculus.

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Education Integration Committee: NICE

Promoting STEM Faculty Members' Reflection on Their Teaching Practice

119th ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition, 2012

and a professor in the Materials Science and Engineering Department. Callahan received her Ph.D. ... more and a professor in the Materials Science and Engineering Department. Callahan received her Ph.D. in materials science, her M.S. in metallurgy, and her B.S. in chemical engineering from the University of Connecticut. Her educational research interests include freshmen engineering programs, math success, K-12 STEM curriculum and accreditation, and retention and recruitment of STEM majors.

Teaching Inquiry Based Stem In The Elementary Grades Using Manipulatives: A Systemic Solution Report

Callahan received her Ph.D. in Materials Science, her M.S. in Metallurgy and her B.S. in Chemical... more Callahan received her Ph.D. in Materials Science, her M.S. in Metallurgy and her B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Connecticut. Her educational research interests include freshmen engineering programs, math success, K-12 STEM curriculum and accreditation, and retention and recruitment of STEM majors. She is an ABET program evaluator for ceramic engineering, chemical engineering and materials science and engineering programs.

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A Comparison of Two Engineering Outreach Programs for Adolescents

Journal of STEM Education: Innovations and Research, Jan 24, 2011

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Developing And Assessing Engineering Based Modules For A Freshman Engineering Class

Most freshman engineering students at our University take precalculus (MATH 147) as their first m... more Most freshman engineering students at our University take precalculus (MATH 147) as their first math course. These students are strongly encouraged to take a companion course called Engineering with Precalculus (ENGR 110). ENGR 110 is intended to familiarize new students with the University, reinforce math concepts, and introduce diverse fields of engineering. For the Fall 2007 semester, interactive computer simulations were created using the modeling programs Working Model2D TM and MDSolids TM 1,2 , to introduce and reinforce topics and skills associated with of the four engineering specialties (Civil, Electrical, Materials Science, and Mechanical) offered at our University. A specific assessment strategy, including administration of the Gregorc Style Delineator TM 3 , was created to benchmark the effectiveness of the simulations and to facilitate their continuous improvement. Results indicate that students liked using the simulations and considered them to be enjoyable learning supplements. Students also felt that the simulations improved their confidence to take future engineering courses and were willing to use more simulations in their academic careers. There was no significant correlation between dominant learning styles of the students and their perceptions of the simulations. Therefore, adaptations based upon learning styles may not be needed for effective use of simulations in learning environments similar to ENGR 110.

The Idaho Science Talent Expansion Program: Freshman Orientation for STEM Majors

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition Proceedings, Sep 4, 2020

His research interests include math education, quantum topology, quantum algebra and representati... more

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Ac 2007-1998: Benefits of a Tutorial Mathematics Program for Engineering Students Enrolled in Precalculus: A Template for Assessment

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition, Jun 24, 2007

She received a Ph.D. in Materials Science, a M.S. in Metallurgy and a B.S. in Chemical Engineerin... more She received a Ph.D. in Materials Science, a M.S. in Metallurgy and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Connecticut. Her current research interests include freshmen engineering programs, recruitment and retention issues in engineering, biomedical device development and the development and characterization of biomaterials.

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The Implementation Of An Online Mathematics Placement Exam And Its Effects On Student Success In Precalculus And Calculus

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition Proceedings, Sep 3, 2020

His research interests include math education, quantum topology, quantum algebra and representati... more

What Value Does Service Learning Have on Introductory Engineering Students' Motivation and ABET Program Outcomes?

Journal of STEM Education: Innovations and Research, Jun 28, 2012

A quasi-experimental evaluation study was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of using a s... more A quasi-experimental evaluation study was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of using a service learning (SL) method on influencing introductory engineering students' motivation and ABET program outcomes, compared to the effectiveness of using a conventional, non-service-learning (NSL) method. The sample used in the study was 214 students enrolled in an Introduction to Engineering course at a medium-size university in the northwestern region of the U.S. during the fall semester of 2009 and the spring semester of 2010. Sixty-nine students completed SL projects while 145 students completed NSL projects. Both SL and NSL projects were team-based. Using the ARCS model as a framework, students' motivation was measured on attention (interest), relevance, confidence in engineering knowledge, confidence in collaborative learning, and satisfaction. Students' self-assessed engineering abilities were measured on the "a through k" ABET program outcomes. Results showed that the SL method was significantly more effective than the NSL method in terms of positively influencing students' interests, recognition of relevance, and satisfaction in learning and their self-assessed engineering abilities in three out of 11 ABET program outcomes, c, e, and k. Interpretation of the results, application of the results to the course redesign, and recommendations for other engineering educators are provided.

A Systemic Solution: Elementary Teacher Preparation In Stem Expertise And Engineering Awareness

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition Proceedings, Sep 3, 2020

His research agenda is motive by science education and includes aspects of conceptual change, inq... more

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Enhancing STEM Majors’ College Trigonometry Learning through Collaborative Mobile Apps Coding

TechTrends, Jul 31, 2020

STEM major students often enter colleges with a need to strengthen their foundational mathematics... more STEM major students often enter colleges with a need to strengthen their foundational mathematics, such as trigonometry. We designed an innovative undergraduate course that aims to strengthen students’ trigonometry knowledge application through programming mobile apps. We explored how students applied trigonometry concepts in developing their mobile apps and their overall experiences in this course. We found that the student-developed mobile apps included some combination of the following categories: quiz, game, and review guide for trigonometry learning, while trigonometry was applied in the mobile apps’ codes and/or in the apps’ content. Overall, students were very positive about their experiences of reviewing, revisiting, and utilizing trigonometry through programming mobile apps. The results suggest that the innovative curricular approach is promising in motivating students to apply foundational mathematics while solving design problems.

Improving Campus Climate For Faculty From Underrepresented Groups

Dean Schrader has an extensive record of publications and sponsored reseearch in the systems, con... more Dean Schrader has an extensive record of publications and sponsored reseearch in the systems, control and engineering education fields. She received the 2005 Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Engineering and Mathematics Mentoring from the White House for an enduring, strong and personal commitment to underrepresented engineering students and faculty.

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