ENGINEERING EDUCATION IN A RAPIDLY CHANGING WORLD:

1. ENGINEERING EDUCATION IN A RAPIDLY CHANGING WORLD: Some Things Old, Some Things New College of Engineering Advisory Board March 25, 2011

2. Current Issues in Engineering Education – Suggested Reading • National Academies. 2010. Rising Above the Gathering Storm, Revisited: Rapidly Approaching Category 5. Washington, DC: The National Academy Press. www.nap.edu/catalog/12999.html • National Academy of Engineering. 2008. Changing the Conversation: Messages for Improving Public Understanding of Engineering. Washington, DC: The National Academy Press. http://www.nae.edu/Publications/Reports/24985.aspx • National Academies. 2010. Expanding Underrepresented Minority Participation: American’s Science and Technology Talent at the Crossroads. Washington, DC: The National Academy Press. www.nap.edu/catalog/12984.html

3. Recommendations fromThe Gathering Storm • Recommendation A:Increase America’s talent pool by vastlyimproving K–12 science and mathematics education. • Recommendation B:Sustain and strengthen the nation’s traditionalcommitment to long-term basic research. • Recommendation C:Make the United States the most attractivesetting in which to study and perform research. • Recommendation D:Ensure that the United States is the premierplace in the world to innovate.

4. Changing the Conversation:Repositioning Statement No profession unleashes the spirit of innovation like engineering. From research to real-world applications, engineers constantly discover how to improve our lives by creating bold new solutions that connect science to life in unexpected, forward-thinking ways. Few professions turn so many ideas into so many realities. Few have such a direct and positive effect on people’s everyday lives. We are counting on engineers and their imaginations to help us meet the needs of the 21st century.

5. Messages That Tested Well • ENGINEERS MAKE A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE • From new farming equipment and safer drinking water to electric cars and faster microchips, engineers use their knowledge to improve people’s lives in concrete, meaningful ways. • ENGINEERS ARE CREATIVE PROBLEM-SOLVERS • Engineers have a vision for how something should work, and are dedicated to making it better, faster or more efficient. • ENGINEERS HELP SHAPE THE FUTURE • Engineers use the latest science, tools and technology to bring ideas to life in forward-thinking ways. • ENGINEERING IS ESSENTIAL TO OUR HEALTH, HAPPINESS AND SAFETY • From the grandest skyscrapers to microscopic medical devices, it is impossible to imagine life without engineering.

6. “Tag Lines” That Tested Well • Turning Ideas into Realities • Because Dreams Need Doing

7. Recommendations On Diversity and STEM Education 1. Pre-School through Grade 3 Education Prepare America’s children for school through pre-school and early education programs thatdevelop reading readiness, provide early mathematics skills, and introduce concepts of creativity and discovery 2.K to 12 Mathematics and Science Increase America’s talent pool by vastly improving K-12mathematics and science education forunderrepresented minorities. 3.K-12 Teacher Preparation and Retention Improve K-12 mathematics and science education forunderrepresented minorities overall byimproving the preparedness of those who teach them those subjects

8. Recommendations (cont’d) 4. Access and Motivation Improve access to all post-secondary education and technical training and increaseunderrepresented minority student awareness of and motivation for STEM education and careersthrough improved information, counseling, and outreach. 5. Affordability Develop America’s advanced STEM workforce by providing adequate financial support tounderrepresented minority students in undergraduate and graduate STEM education.

9. Some Things OldWhat have we done well? • rigorous base in math and science, strong engineering content • the importance of design and experiential learning (labs, co-ops, internships) • faculty quality • emphasis on research and creativity • effective use of reward structure • student quality/accessible education

10. And not so well…… • integration of knowledge – separation into lower and upper division; little interdisciplinarity • communication skills • preparation for global marketplace • diversity

11. A Few Axioms….. • Axiom 1. Engineers serve society • Axiom 2. Fundamentals are fundamental • Axiom 3. Education and training are not synonymous, nor are teaching and learning • Axiom 4. There are different “characteristic times” for different processes • Axiom 5. The public’s view of education is “important, but not urgent”

12. Some Things New….. • Increasing partnerships between engineering educators and learning scientists • An increasing emphasis on “learning” in contrast to “teaching” • Team learning and other learning innovations • Learning is not classroom-centric • The myth of e-learning: (http://campustechnology.com/articles/2011/01/19/the-myth-of-elearning.aspx) • Creating a culture of scholarly and systematic innovation in engineering education • Increasing need for interdisciplinary education and motivating students by “Grand Challenges”

13. Implications to the Technological University? • The next decades should be “our time” • Connect engineering education to the aspirations of today’s youth • Embrace the connection between engineering education and economic development • Stress interdisciplinarity – engage with other colleges in the university • Be innovative in exploring different ways of learning • Align the reward system for faculty with desired outcomes

14. THANK YOU! for all the EAB support during my tenure as Dean of the best COE in the World!