Work in Progress: Global Engineering Perspectives Scholars Program
- Conference
- Location
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Virtual On line
- Publication Date
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June 22, 2020
- Start Date
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June 22, 2020
- End Date
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June 26, 2021
- Conference Session
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Cultural Issues in Engineering: International Division Technical Session 2
- Tagged Division
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International
- Tagged Topic
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Diversity
- Page Count
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7
- DOI
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10.18260/1-2--35640
- Permanent URL
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https://strategy.asee.org/35640
- Download Count
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362
Paper Authors
Donna M. Ebenstein Bucknell University
Donna M. Ebenstein is a Professor and Emmitt Memorial Chair in Biomedical Engineering at Bucknell University.
L. Felipe Perrone Bucknell University
L. FELIPE PERRONE is Professor and Chair of Computer Science at Bucknell University. He is the Robert L. Rooke Chair in the Historical and Social Context of Engineering. He teaches courses in the area of computer systems and computers and society. His research interests include modeling, simulation, and robot ethics.
Margot A. Vigeant Bucknell University
Margot Vigeant is a professor of chemical engineering at Bucknell University. She earned her B.S. in chemical engineering from Cornell University, and her M.S. and Ph.D., also in chemical engineering, from the University of Virginia. Her primary research focus is on engineering pedagogy at the undergraduate level. She is particularly interested in the teaching and learning of concepts related to thermodynamics. She is also interested in active, collaborative, and problem-based learning, and in the ways hands-on activities such as making, technology, and games can be used to improve student engagement.
Deborah L. Sills Bucknell University
Deborah is an Assistant Professor in the Civil & Environmental Engineering Department at Bucknell University. Her teaching and research focus on sustainable production of biofuels and bioproducts. She and her students use laboratory studies and modeling techniques—such as life cycle assessment—to develop and improve the environmental performance of resource recovery from wastewater and multi-product biorefineries.
Craig Beal Bucknell University
Craig E. Beal earned a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Bucknell University in 2005 and M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Mechanical Engineering at Stanford University in 2007 and 2011. Dr. Beal is an Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Bucknell University and was the Jane W. Griffith Faculty Fellow from 2012-2015.
Dr. Beal's teaching interests include system dynamics and control, mechanical design, mechatronics and robotics, and first year introductory engineering. His research is focused on the application of control systems to vehicle dynamics to improve safety, stability, and performance of vehicles on roads with uncertain friction conditions. Current research projects include identification of road surface conditions from onboard measurements and approaches to maintaining stability during sudden changes in road condition.
Amal Kabalan Bucknell University
Dr. Kabalan studied properties of semiconducting materials for photovoltaics applications at Harvard University. She completed her dissertation at Villanova University where she worked on the application of superlattice structures in solar cells. Her research focuses on integrating nanotechnology structures in electronic devices. Currently she is working on improving the efficiency of ZnTe/ZnO solar cells.
She is also interested in humanitarian technology. She is working on developing solar backpacks for students who lack access to electric power around the world.
Outside the lab and the classroom, Dr. Kabalan loves to travel and to immerse herself in different cultural experiences.
Abstract
Research has shown that study abroad yields the greatest educational outcomes for intercultural competency when it is couched in a curriculum that encourages preparation before and reflection after the abroad experience. To enhance the educational outcomes of engineering students’ study abroad experiences, we developed a certificate program that couples an abroad experience with additional coursework in global topics and a reflection assignment. The certificate program is based on a similar program at Northern Arizona University, and is otherwise rare in our peer schools. The goal of the program is to encourage students to engage in coursework and experiences that cultivate cultural competency, and to recognize students’ efforts when they do so. In addition, this program is designed to be manageable within our existing engineering degree programs while requiring global learning and international experiences beyond simply studying abroad. Students who satisfy the requirements will have "Global Engineering Perspectives Scholar" added to their transcript. The program requirements are: (a) demonstrate proficiency in a foreign language, (b) participate in an abroad experience, (c) complete a minimum of three courses designated by the university as global connections or foreign language, (d) complete a minimum of three engineering courses, and (e) submit a reflection assignment. The reflection assignment was based on the following prompt: “How did the completion of the requirements for this program enhance your engineering education and help prepare you for your future?” The reflection can be in the form of a presentation, video, or 2-page impact statement for public dissemination. The first cohort of nine Global Engineering Perspectives Scholars graduated in 2019, including students from five degree programs with competencies spanning five different languages.
Ebenstein, D. M., & Perrone, L. F., & Vigeant, M. A., & Sills, D. L., & Beal, C., & Kabalan, A. (2020, June), Work in Progress: Global Engineering Perspectives Scholars Program Paper presented at 2020 ASEE Virtual Annual Conference Content Access, Virtual On line . 10.18260/1-2--35640
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