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This research paper investigates how classroom observation tools can be effectively combined to promote engagement in STEM education. Specifically, it explores the integration of the Classroom Observation Protocol for Undergraduate STEM (COPUS) and a culturally responsive Classroom Observation Instrument (COI) to evaluate and improve teaching practices. COPUS, developed by Smith et al. [21], captures instructional dynamics and student-faculty interactions, while the Classroom Observation Instrument COI, created by Dr. Jennifer G. Cromley and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) Developing Equity-Minded Engineering Practitioners (DEEP) research team [6], focuses on observing and assessing culturally responsive-related instructional practices. At Morgan State University (MSU), a Historically Black University (HBCU), coders formally trained by the UIUC DEEP team used both tools to analyze classroom recordings of faculty who had undergone professional development in engaging pedagogy. Findings indicate measurable improvements and balanced engagement in the classroom. This fusion of COPUS and COI tools offers a replicable framework for enhancing inclusive STEM instruction and cultivating more equitable learning environments. 

Dynamism of using pedagogy to teach concepts related to noise engineering at undergraduate level can fuel leaners desire to find a career opportunity in the field. This study aimed to investigate the impact of low-cost, portable, and safe hands-on tools used in teaching and demonstrating noise pollution at a historically black university (HBCU). The study was conducted among undergraduate students at one HBCU, and feedback was obtained regarding the device and the pedagogy using a 5-scale Likert questionnaire. The purpose of the study was to improve teaching pedagogy by assessing the impact of the tools on teaching and learning. The feedback from the students showed that the tool was well accepted and provided learners with an advantage in understanding noise pollution. Additionally, the engagement of students in class improved as a result of the use of the tool. The findings suggest that the use of low-cost, portable, and safe hands-on tools can enhance the teaching and learning of noise pollution and other related topics. This study highlights the importance of evaluating teaching and learning pedagogy to improve the quality of education. 

Noise engineering is not a new field of study but statistics showed that experts in the field are on a decline. Observing that motivation and curiosity are among the hallmarks of any workforce development pipeline, the study developed an experiment-centric pedagogy to detect and measure noise from pollution using low-cost hands-on devices with the aim of motivating learners. The study design was a pre- and post-test method. The learners were enrolled in a transportation course and the noise detection and measurement strategies course module was used for the study. Motivated Strategies Learning Questionnaire was adopted for the study. Learners response to the use of technological tools incorporated in learning was predominantly positive revealing that the learners' gain extensively. More so, significant improvement was observed in the critical thinking of leaners (p < 0 .05) and overall, there was an increase in their motivation at the post-test. Significant improvement in academic performance of learners was also observed at post-test (p < 0 .05). It is therefore posited that there is need for effective engagement with learners with similar low-cost hands-on to lead to better understand and motivation that can lead to development of workforce in noise engineering. 

Learning critical concepts that are centered on the analysis, design, and maintenance of transportation infrastructure systems poses a measure of difficulty for undergraduates in engineering. Therefore, hands-on learning pedagogy should be an excellent precursor to increase understanding of these concepts, since the pedagogy incorporates real-life experience in the delivery. This paper describes how a hands-on learning pedagogy called experiment-centric pedagogy (ECP) has been used to teach these concepts to undergraduate students at a historically Black university. The research questions are as follows: (1) How well can ECP improve students’ understanding of concepts essential to the analysis and design of transportation infrastructure systems? (2) How has the ECP facilitated the achievement of the learning objectives of these concepts? and (3) Does an ECP increase the engagement of undergraduate students in their transportation infrastructure engineering learning and lead to measurable lasting gains? To answer these research questions, ECP was implemented and assessed when used to teach the concepts of stress and strain utilized in the analysis of bridges and other transportation infrastructure, sound used in the development and design of noise barriers, moisture content in controlling compaction of highway infrastructure systems, and degradation of infrastructure systems exposed to various environmental settings. Assessment results from 92 undergraduates reveal an increase in students’ motivation and cognitive understanding of the relevant concepts, as well as learning gains and an improved success rate compared to the traditional method of teaching.