Supporting Migrant Education Program Students

Yaneli Cruz, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

Abstract/Summary

This project explored the impact of the EPIC engineering camp on Migrant Education Program (MEP) participants, a group often academically disadvantaged due to frequent moves, limited resources, and lack of encouragement to pursue higher education. Because no new IRB-approved data could be collected during camp, pre- and post-camp surveys that students had already completed were analyzed. I converted the data into CSV files, built SQL tables, and wrote a Python script to automate the process of filtering and comparing MEP students, Session 1, with non-MEP peers. Results showed that 28% of MEP students started camp unsure about engineering, but 11% later shifted toward considering or planning to major in engineering. Sixteen percent reported that “no one really” encouraged them to pursue engineering, yet there was a 33% increase in students who “highly agreed” they felt confident becoming engineers. These findings suggest EPIC had a meaningful impact, though further research and resources are needed to better support MEP students.