Paul Asunda
Associate Professor; Executive Director of CATALYST
Engineering/Technology Education,
Curriculum and Instruction
Email:
pasunda@purdue.edu
Phone:
(765) 496-0266
Address:
Ernest C. Young Hall
155 S. Grant Street
West Lafayette, Indiana 47907-2098
YONG 340
Links:
LinkedInAbout
Dr. Paul A. Asunda is a Fulbright Scholar, Associate Professor of Engineering and Technology Teacher Education, and Executive Director for the Center for Advancing the Teaching and Learning of STEM (CATALYST). He holds a joint appointment in Purdue University’s College of Education and Purdue Polytechnic Institute.
Dr. Asunda’s scholarship on the changing nature of work and learning in STEM education occurs through two interconnected strands of inquiry. The first examines integrated/ STEM teacher preparation within the context of engineering design-based learning and computer science practices at the K -20 level. The second contributes to the implementation of STEM learning and mentoring influence on career and college success. His research has resulted in more than 40 publications in peer-reviewed journals, and more than 50 presentations at national and international conferences. His research work has been published in several STEM education journals such as: Science Scope; International Journal of Technology Design and Education, Journal of Technology Education, Journal of Technology Studies and Career and Technical Education Research Journal.
Education
2007 – University of Georgia – PhD ( Workforce Education & Development – Engineering and Technology Education
2002- United States International University – MIBA (Strategic Management and Information Systems Technology)
1999 – B.ED (Teacher Education – (Arts and Design)
Career Experience
Executive Director- Center for Advancing the Teaching and Learning of STEM (CATALYST): College of Education – Purdue University
Associate Professor (Joint Appointment) – Integrated STEM tenured appointment in the Department of Technology Leadership and Innovation / Department of Curriculum and Instruction
Awards & Honors
2024: Best Paper Award, ASEE Industrial Engineering Division – With Israa Azzam, Farid Breidi, Faisal Aqlan, Jose Garcia, and Paul Asunda
2024: Employee Recognition Award: High profile Projects given by Purdue Polytechnic Institute – Purdue University
2023: Fulbright Scholar Award – Institute of International Education (Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs) – Fulbright award to Kenya for Academic year 2023-2024
Professional Affiliations/Memberships
Association for Career and Technical Education – (ACTE)
International Technology and Engineering Educators Association – (ITEEA)
American Society for Engineering Education – (ASEE)
Association of Technology, Management and Applied Engineering – (ATMAE)
Research & Publications
STEM Education | Engineering Design and Problem solving in STEM education | Instructional design and curriculum development | Training and talent Development | Innovation, Integration of educational technologies in STEM education Instruction and learning | Inclusive excellence | Teacher Education
Selected Publications
*Pinto, C., Asunda, P.A., & Denson, C. (accepted). High School STEM Teachers Integration of Computational Thinking as an Instructional Practice within STEM Education,. Journal of Computer Education
Asunda, P.A., Matthew, R., Mativo, J., & Msomi, E. (2026). Integrating robotics design challenge to foster engineering design and computational thinking in mathematical reasoning of middle school students in Tanzania. Discov Educ 5, 517 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1007/s44217-026-01391-3
Asunda, P.A., *Pinto, C., & Denson, C. (2026). High School STEM Teachers Understanding Computational Thinking. Journal of Computer Education, 5(1), 19-34. https://www.journalofcomputereducation.info/ojs/index.php/jce/article/view/38Will
Mativo, J., George, U., Asunda, P., Hoang, N., Anguiano, J., & Griffing, S. (2026). Understanding motivations and influences for selecting a major for university students in a US southeast region university. Journal of STEM Education: Innovations and Research, 27(2), Pages 55–64. https://doi.org/10.63504/jstem.v27i2.2755
Alrashdi, Y., & Asunda, P.A. (2026). Navigating STEM integration: Instructional strategies employed by teachers in high school classrooms. Journal of STEM Teacher Education 60(1), 26-43
Mativo, J. & Asunda, P.A. (2025). Power generation and efficiency for a flexible thermoelectric structure. International Journal of Modern Engineering, 25(2) 5-12.
Asunda, P.A., & *Ayokanmi, B. D. (2025). Middle school students career choices in Integrated STEM Education and learning. Journal of Career and Technical Education Research
*Perwaiz. F., & Asunda, P.A., (2025). Teachers’ instructional practices and students’ engagement in integrated STEM learning environments in middle school classrooms. The Journal of STEM Education: Innovations and Research. 26(2), 19-25. doi: https://doi.org/10.63504/jstem.v26i2.2682
* Bayati, N., Denson, C., & Asunda, P. (2025.). Examining barriers and facilitators of graduate international students in the U.S. Journal of International Students, 15(5), 139-158. https://doi.org/10.32674/b6bgby16
Asunda, P. A., Faezipour, M * Tolemy J., & * Do Engel T.M., (2023). Embracing computational thinking as impetus for artificial intelligence in integrated STEM disciplines. Journal of Technology Education. 34 (2) 43-63. https://doi:10.21061/jte.v34i2.a.3
Mumba, F., Rutt, A., Asunda, P. A., & Bailey, R. (2023) Pre-service science teachers’ understanding of science and engineering practices, engineering design process, and scientific method, Journal of STEM Teacher Education: Vol. 58: Iss. 1, Article 5. DOI: https://doi.org/10.61403/2158-6594.1500
Fletcher Jr. E. C., Hines, E, Asunda, P.A. Ford, D.Y., & Moore III, J. L. (2023). Examining Black Male Student Participation Challenges in a High School Academy of Engineering. Journal of Women and Minorities in Science and Engineering. https:// DOI: 10.1615/JWomenMinorScienEng.2023044603
Debs, L., Gray, C.M. & Asunda, P.A. (2022) Students’ perceptions and reasoning patterns about the ethics of emerging technology. International Journal of Technology Design and Education. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10798-021-09719-w
* Alyami, H. & Asunda, P. (2021). Oil-spill eSTEMation: Using mathematical estimation and modelling to rescue our oceans. Science Scope. 44(5), 28–36
Current Grants & Funded Research
Enabling Next-Generation HyFlex Field Laboratories through an Innovative Learner-In-The-Loop Multi-Robot System. National Science Foundation (Kocsis, J., Asunda, P, Zhang, J., Byung-Cheol M, & Dongming G.). Role: co-PI — 2024-2027
Research Initiation: Developing Spatial Visualization and Understanding of Complex Systems via Interactive Mixed Reality Modules: . National Science Foundation –The Professional Formation of Engineers: Research Initiation in Engineering Formation (PFE: RIEF) (:El Breidi, F., & Asunda, P.) Role: co-PI- 2022-2025
Leading academic transformation: Enhancing STEM instructional methods. American Councils for International Education and The Embassy of the United States in Kazakhstan): Role :PI , 2023-2024
BCSER: Characterizing How Teachers Design Engaging Learning Environments in STEM Education: Examining Teachers’ and Students’ Conceptualizations of integrated STEM. National Science Foundation – Build Capacity in STEM Education Research. Role :PI , 2021-2025