Title

Engineering Cultures: Expanding the Engineering Method for Global Problem Solvers

Author Info

Gary Downey, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Juan C. Lucena, Colorado School of Mines
Barbara M. Moskal, Colorado School of Mines
Thomas Bigley, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Chris Hays, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Brent K. Jesiek, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Liam Kelly, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Jane Lehr, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityFollow
Jonson Miller, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Amy Nichols-Belo, University of Virginia

Recommended Citation

Published in Proceedings of the 2005 ASEE/AaeE 4th Global Colloquium, January 1, 2005, pages 1-17.

NOTE: At the time of publication, the author Jane Lehr was not yet affiliated with Cal Poly.

Abstract

What does it mean for engineers to engage in global problem solving? What forms of knowledge or sets of capabilities characterize the effective global problem solver? What sorts of learning experiences are involved in gaining such knowledge and capabilities? The purpose of this paper is to present the design, initial steps, and preliminary assessment of the “Engineering Cultures: Building the Global Engineer” project which seeks to address the above questions through the development of a new undergraduate course called “Engineering Cultures.” The first section of this paper briefly outlines ongoing efforts to internationalize engineering curricula, followed by a discussion of how the Engineering Cultures project connects to existing work while also attempting to extend the opportunity to become global problem solvers to a broader population of students. The final section presents an initial set of outcomes from ongoing assessment efforts.

Disciplines

Ethnic Studies

Copyright

2005 American Society for Engineering Education.