Recruitment and Retention

Recruitment and retention are other key topics of the TEACH group, which focuses on enhancing student preparedness, inclusivity, and academic success through various innovative projects.

The TIL Analysis project investigates the correlation between incoming preparation and first-year performance of engineering freshmen. By analyzing TIL and EdS exam scores, along with demographic variables, the study highlights significant predictors of academic success, emphasizing the need for improved orientation and admission policies to support student transitions.

The SAperI (Spatial Ability per l'Ingegneria) project examines the relationship between Spatial Abilities (SA) and STEM success. Standardized tests and specific training highlight the importance of spatial skills in engineering education, which contribute to improved student outcomes and retention. This project's first results received the "Best Scientific Divulgation Video" award at the TEEM'20 conference in Salamanca (available here).

The CIAO! (Corso Interattivo di Accompagnamento Online) - !OAIC (Online Accompanying Interactive Course) addresses mismatches in mathematical skills by providing interactive online courses and personalized tutoring, thereby improving students' readiness for engineering coursework and enhancing retention rates.

The Reverse Inclusion project explores a novel approach to inclusivity by pairing talented students with protégés. Part of the "Research among Quality - Young Talent track," this initiative has shown promising results in fostering collaborative learning environments and enhancing student performance. The related paper earned the "Most Original Contribution" award at the UK&IE EERN Symposium 2018 in Portsmouth.

The ‘Research among Quality - Young Talent track’ (La Ricerca della Qualità - Percorso per i Giovani Talenti), initiated in 2013, is an innovative teaching initiative for talented freshmen in Engineering Bachelor's courses at Politecnico di Torino. The program combines the reinforcement of the standard engineering curriculum with hybrid activities in non-technical areas such as soft skills, critical thinking, humanities, and creativity. It promotes mutual learning and knowledge exchange through reverse inclusion, encouraging a collaborative educational experience.

The DayByDay project promotes continuous improvement and self-directed learning, empowering students to manage their educational journeys effectively and develop essential study habits, leading to better academic performance and retention.

These initiatives collectively aim to improve recruitment and retention in engineering education by addressing key factors influencing student success and fostering an inclusive, supportive learning environment.

We have also been involved in different EU projects on this topic, which can be found here: ATTRACT, INGDIVS, and W-STEM.

Publications

2024
  • Profiles of students in STEM across Latin America and Europe
    Article

    Ballatore, MARIA GIULIA; García-Holgado, Alicia; Tabacco, Anita; Mena, Juanjo; José García-Peñalvo, Francisco; Amores, Lucía
    EDUCATION SCIENCES & SOCIETY
    FrancoAngeli
    Vol.15 pp.19 (pp.260-278) ISSN:2284-015X DOI:10.3280/ess1-2024oa17421

2021 2020 2019
  • Increasing gender diversity in STEM
    Proceeding

    Ballatore, Maria Giulia; Barman, Linda; De Borger, Jelle; Ehlermann, Julia; Fryers, Robbie; Kelly, Kevin; Misiewicz, Julia; Naimi-Akbar, Ida; Tabacco, Anita
    In: Proceeding TEEM'19 Proceedings of the Seventh International Conference on Technological Ecosystems for Enhancing Multiculturality
    ACM
    TEEM'19 (León, Spain) October 16 - 18, 2019
    pp.7 (pp.216-222) ISBN:9781450371919 DOI:10.1145/3362789.3362832

  • Inclusion: a new reverse perspective
    Proceeding

    Ballatore, MARIA GIULIA; Montanaro, Laura; Tabacco, Anita Maria
    In: Realising Ambitions: Proceedings of the 6th Annual Symposium of the United Kingdom & Ireland Engineering Education Research Network
    University of Portsmouth (REGNO UNITO DI GRAN BRETAGNA)
    Realising Engineering Ambitions: The Role Of Engineering Education Research? (University of Portsmouth (UK)) 1-2 November 2018
    pp.10 (pp.151-160) ISBN:9781861376695

  • Empowering Talented Students: An Italian Experience of an Enriched Curriculum in Engineering
    Article

    Ballatore, Maria Giulia; Montanaro, Laura; Tabacco, Anita
    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENGINEERING PEDADOGY
    Kassel university press GmbH
    Vol.9 pp.20 (pp.56-75) ISSN:2192-4880 DOI:10.3991/ijep.v9i3.10140

2018 1995

Total: 9