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Priorities:Tennessee Technological University- Student Priorities

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= STUDENT PRIORITY #2: JACQUELINE SCHULZ =

== ~~'''~~'''INTERDISCIPLINARY COLLABORATION & LONG-TERM AVENUES FOR I&E PURSUIT'''~~'''~~ ==

=== '''AVAILABLE RESOURCES''' ===

One such course, involving students from nursing and chemical engineering (open to biomolecular concentration as well as general chemical engineering students), is called [https://www.tntech.edu/news/releases/nursing,-engineering-students-collaborate-on-health-care-problems Clinical Immersion at Disciplinary Interfaces] and was piloted during the Fall 2015 Semester. This course teaches students to apply field experience/observation and personal interviews to a process very similar to the design thinking process called the [http://eecs.vanderbilt.edu/courses/ee235/STAR_Legacy_model.htm Legacy Cycle]. Students then use this creative process to generate innovative solutions to problems noted during clinical experiences in the hospital and/or identified by health care workers (mostly staff nurses). One solution presented at the end of the course included plans and theoretical proof of concept for a non-lead [https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1O6338JsdW6i947bSGWkvvVF9RupCshBwd_pyG-UXELo/edit?usp=sharing radiation-shielding sterile drape] which would be reusable, sterilizable, light-weight, and flexible.

=== AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT ===

Though Clinical Immersion at Disciplinary Interfaces is an interdisciplinary focusing on a process similar to design thinking, there are a few improvements which would make the experience more effective:

#'''Greater introduction to available resources''': While the class briefly introduces the resources available for prototyping on campus (specifically, the iMakerspace within the iCube) no in-depth instruction was provided on use of these resources due to time constraints for the students of Fall 2015.

=== PROPOSED SOLUTION ===

In order to remedy the areas for improvement outlined above, a long-term 3 year program has been proposed for participation of students from every major offered through Tech (not all will be represented, but all will be eligible). This program will offer extensive exposure to I&E concepts and interdisciplinary collaboration while promoting the use of available resources for student innovative and entrepreneurial ventures. Divided into yearly cohorts, the program will give students the opportunity to form long-term interdisciplinary relationships for collaboration in solution development to problems found in the surrounding area and/or on mission trips to more distant locations.

#'''Third year cohorts will self-identify problems and develop design solutions with the end goal of achieving student licensure of the product, venture start-up status, and/or commercialization of the product by an outside entity'''. This project will serve as the capstone of the program, challenging students to work together effectively while pooling knowledge not only from the previous two years in the program, but also knowledge gained within each student's respective discipline.

=== STRATEGIES FOR EXECUTION ===

#'''iCube partnership(Spring 2016)''': In order to establish increased program credibility, developing a close partnership with the directors and administrators of the iCube is essential to gaining the support of individual college deans and department heads. Partnership with the iCube also provides the program with a home-base and increased access to resources required for prototyping and design development.#'''Teaser course/workshop(Spring 2016)''': Further research of student interest and attitudes toward I&E and a program of this type is required before development can truly begin. Holding a teaser design thinking workshop for students within UNIV 1010 Freshman Connections courses will give students a taste of the concepts to be taught within the program and provide an opportunity for gauging student interest in I&E and interdisciplinary collaboration.#'''Gain support of colleges and departments(Spring & Summer 2016)''': Support from the individual colleges and departments on campus would aid in pushing the program through various curriculum committees and also help to promote the program and I&E to faculty and students across campus.

#'''Spark interest early''': Targeting students during freshman year is a tactic universities deploy across the country to increase student discovery of I&E and promote its continued pursuit. If we can teach students to look for the I&E opportunities around them in their UNIV 1010 Freshman Connections course (see Strategic Priority #3) the proposed program will provide a guided opportunity to pursue these ideas long-term.

Jackiemschulz

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