Data Filename: 	CUES_Focus_Groups_Summer_2014_Report.pdf
ReadMe File Name: 	ReadMe_ CUES_Focus_Groups_Summer_2014_Report.txt

ReadMe File Contents:

Introductory Information:
Data Filename:		CUES Focus Groups Summer 2014 Report.pdf
Data File Description: 	These data were collected as part of the Cornell University Engineering Success 
(CUES) Program.  Data collected include student grades, test scores and 
retention. 
Data File Format:	PDF
Related Data Files: 	CUES_Update_2013_2014.pdf
Other Related Files:	Spatial_Visualization_Test.pdf (Spatial Visualization Test) 

Principle Investigator / Data Owner:	Alan T. Zehnder, Professor, Mechanical and Aerospace 
Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca NY 14853, atz2@cornell.edu
Associated Investigators:		Sara X. Hernandez (Cornell), Magnia George, (Y-STEM Inc.)  
Contact Person:	Director, Diversity Programs in Engineering, 146 Olin Hall, Cornell University, 
Ithaca NY  14853, dpeng@cornell.edu

Data Collection Dates:	20140701-20140730
Data File Submission Date:	20150626
Data File Updated:	None

Keywords:	engineering, spatial visualization, tutoring, mathematics, retention, 
underrepresented minority, first generation college, undergraduate

Data File Contents:
File provides a short summary of findings from focus group interviews of CUES students  

Focus Group Questions:

A.	 Introduction

1.  First, I would like you to go around the room and introduce yourselves (FIRST NAME ONLY). Please tell me:
a.   Your first name
b.   What your major is
c.   Currently, what is your favorite college course

B. General Attitudes About Pursuing Engineering Degree

2.   First, give me three words to describe your feelings about pursuing an engineering degree.
a.   Probe: What are the most positive things about pursuing an engineering degree?
b.   Probe: What are the most negative things about pursuing an engineering degree?

3.   What does pursuing an engineering degree mean for college students? What are the outcomes 
or results?

4.   What barriers or challenges, if any, have you encountered or anticipate encountering in your 
pursuit to becoming an engineer?
a.   Probe: How have do you plan on overcoming these barriers or challenges?

5.   What academic or research skills do you think will be necessary to get an undergraduate 
engineering degree?
a.   Probe: What academic or research skills do you want to improve? 

C.  Fall Spatial Visualization

6.   What engineering skills do you think you gained or developed throughout the course?

7.   Have you used any of the information you learned in the Spatial Visualization course in other 
courses or research opportunities?

8.   How do you think the course has prepared you to pursue an undergraduate engineering  degree?
a.   Probe: What skills, if any, do you wish you had gained from the course?

9.   How do you think the course has influenced your ideas about the work required of engineers?
 
D.  Summer Math Institute

10. What academic and engineering have you been focusing on developing during the summer 
math institute?
a.   Probe: What course are you taking? Is this a required course? Did you attempt to take the 
course during previous semesters?
b.   Probe: How successful do you think you will be at completing your current course? What 
additional support are you getting to ensure successful completion of the course?

11. To what extent has the summer institute helped you improve academic or engineering skills 
you were targeting for improvement?

12. Are there other ways in which the institute has strengthened your academic or research 
skills? If yes, please describe.

E.  Summer Spatial Visualization
13. What skills do you think you gained or developed throughout the course?

14. How do you think the course has prepared you to pursue an undergraduate engineering degree?
a.   Probe: What expectations did you have for the course? Did this course meet your 
expectations?

15. How do you think the course has influenced your ideas about the work required to do get an 
undergraduate degree in engineering?

16. How do you think the course has influenced your ideas about the work required of engineers?

F.  Concluding Thoughts

17. To wrap things up, I’d like to go around the room and have each person tell me what one or 
two things you will take away from this discussion. It can be anything related to any of the topics 
we discussed.

Recommended Citation:	 Alan T. Zehnder, Sara X. Hernandez, and Magnia George, Data from: “CUES: Cornell University Engineering Success Program,” Identifier

Funding Information:	Collection of the data was funded by NSF grant 1317501