Organization:Grand Challenges Scholars Program

Overview

The NAE Grand Challenge Scholars program is a combined program with five components that are designed to create and inspire our next generation of engineers to face a lifetime of problem solving. These challenges range from simple to extreme and must be solved to create a stable and safe life for future generations. It is anticipated that each participating institution will develop its own specific realization of the five components, and that students who complete the program successfully will receive a distinction of Grand Challenge Scholar endorsed by their institution and the National Academy of Engineering.

The Grand Challenge Scholar Program has two levels of organization and thus two levels of assessment are needed to ensure consistency with the core principles set forth by the founding committee.

The NAE Committee on Engineering's Grand Challenges has identified 14 areas awaiting engineering solutions in the 21st century:

1. Making solar energy economical
2. Provide energy from fusion
3. Develop carbon sequestration methods
4. Manage the nitrogen cycle
5. Provide access to clean water
6. Restore and improve urban infrastructure
7. Advance health informatics
8. Engineer better medicines
9. Reverse-engineer the brain
10. Prevent nuclear terror 
11. Secure cyberspace
12. Enhance virtual reality
13. Advanced personalized learning
14. Engineer the tools of scientific discovery

Follow this link to watch a 6 minute video discussing the different aspects of the 14 areas in need of engineering solutions. 

Purpose

Our next generation engineers require more diverse knowledge than ever before. The Grand Challenge Scholars program is looking at these ambitious tasks:

•  Create new capabilities
•  Provide pragmatic solutions for basic human needs
•  Develop new entrepreneurial opportunities
•  Reinvent human interactions
•  Transform systems thinking
•  Be the architects of a sustainable society
•  Be mindful of unintended consequences
•  Connect technology with society 

The five components of the Grand Challenge Scholars Program include:

1. Project or research activity engaging a GC theme or challenge. Working to solve the NAE Grand Challenges is the motivation for the GCSP. Each GC scholar must participate in a substantial team or independent project relating to a Grand Challenge theme or specific Grand Challenge problem. 

2. Interdisciplinary curriculum. Bridging engineering to other disciplines is essential for solving the NAE Grand Challenges. An “Engineering-Plus” curriculum should be devised that prepares engineering students to work at the boundary between an engineering and non-engineering discipline, such as public policy, international relations, business, law, ethics, human behavior, risk, medicine and the natural sciences. However, this must be more than simply double majoring or picking up a minor in a non-engineering discipline.

3. Entrepreneurship. Implementing innovation is central to technology development. Each GC scholar must participate in a curricular or meta-curricular component on the process of translating invention and innovation into market ventures. This may be either risk-taking ventures for business or introducing technology for not-for-profits in the public interest.

4. Global dimension. Global awareness is necessary for working effectively in an interdependent world. Students may participate in a curricular or meta-curricular component that instills elements necessary to develop innovations in a global economy, or address ethical issues of global concern. Domestic activities that stress global or cross-cultural implications may satisfy this component.

5. Service learning. Working for the benefit of others is the foundation of a civil society. Students may participate in a curricular or meta-curricular component that deepens their social awareness and to heighten their motivation to bring their technical expertise to bear on societal.

Distinct Differences From Other Offerings

The Grand Challenges Scholars Program is different in that all students across campus can participate. Students are also able to collaborate with other engineers that are active in the scholarship program. The grand challenges are working towards implementing a program for K-12 that will equip students to become engineers. 

Randy Atkins, founder of the 14 grand challenges for the National Academy of Engineers says, "This provides students with a vision of what they can do with engineering and how they can change the world." 

The office of Science and Technology Policy is interested in seeing this program in many different campuses across the country. Check out this article to see what Washington has to say about NAE!

Impact Achieved For Students and Campus

Current Campuses Involved:

• Duke University, Pratt School of Engineering
• The Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering
• Universtiy of Southern California, Viterbi School of Engineering
• Arizona State Universtiy, Ira A. Fulton School of Engineering
• Louisiana Tech University, College of Engineering and Science
• NC State University, College of Engineering
• University of Iowa, College of Engineering
• Lafayette College, Lafayette College
• The University of Tennessee, College of Engineering
• Bucknell Univeristy, Bucknell College of Engineering
• Western New England College, School of Engineering
• St. Louis Univeristy, Parks College of Engineering, Aviation and Technology
• The Univerity of Texas at Austin, Cockrell School of Engineering
• University of Utah, College of Engineering

Steps Required To Bring Resource to Campus

Student or faculty members can contact NAE by going to the website and submitting the required application. All engineering or non-engineering students are welcome to participate in this scholars program. 

The following are the steps you need to complete to bring GCSP to your campus:

1. Describe the GCSP vision to your school

2. Students are able to pick one of the 14 grand challenges as long as it is aligned with the 5 GC curricular components. 

3. Submit application. Describe how GC scholars will be selected, including anticipated number of students involved then how the five GC curricular components will be met at your school.

4. Describe how GC scholars will be assessed and tracked at your school. Also include in this section how you will promote early student engagement in GC-related activities, as well as how you will foster intramural and extramural networking among GC scholars.

Contact Information

Chair and School Contact

Jenna P. Carpenter
Associate Dean
Administration and Strategic Initiatives
Professor of Mathematics
Louisiana Tech University
jenna@latech.edu 
+1 (318) 257 - 2101

Director

Randy Atkins
Director
Communications/Media
National Academy of Engineering
atkins@nae.edu
(202) 334 - 1508

Committee Members

Student Contact for the Duke Grand Challenge Scholars Program

Martha Absher
Associate Dean
Education & Research Programs
martha.absher@duke.edu
+1 (919) 660 - 5139 (tel)

Student Contact for the Olin Grand Challenge Scholars Program

Lynn Andrea Stein
Professor of Computer and Cognitive Science
The Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering
las@olin.edu
+1 (781) 292 - 2525 (tel)

Student Contact for USC Viterbi Grand Challenge Scholars Program

Louise Yates
Associate Dean for Admissions and Student Affairs
yates@usc.edu
+1 (213) 740 - 4530 (tel)