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Organization:Grand Challenges Scholars Program

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Overview

 

The NAE Grand Challenges 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

A 6-minute video discusses the different aspects of the 14 areas in need of engineering solutions. Finding solutions to the Grand Challenges will positively effect life socially and economically. By creating a 1 - 2 minute video that shows how engineering serves the need of society, you can be entered to win $25,000. 

Purpose

Our next generation of engineers require more diverse knowledge than ever before. The purpose of NAE Grand Challenges Scholars Program is to make engineering students ready to solve the grand challenges that our society currently faces. The Grand Challenges 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

Five Components Preparing Future Engineers

The five components of the Grand Challenge Scholars Program that will prepare future engineers 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. Examples that span these disciplines with a coherent theme are Engery and the Environment, Sustainability, Uncertainty and Optimization, etc. 

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 that scale global solutions 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 problems. Programs such as Engineers Without Borders, or Engineering World Health may be adapted to satisfy this component.

Summit Series on the Grand Challenges

The goal of this summit is to change the way students become educated. 

  1. Enhance student interest in engineering and science.
  2. Increase the visibility and importance of engineering and science to society.
  3. Underscore the importance of recognizing that engineering education must by coupled to policy, business and law and must be student-focused. 
  4. Enhance student interest in engineering, science and technology entrepreneurship.
  5. Foment future collaborations of interested scientists, engineers, policy makers and researchers in business, law, social sciences and humanities needed to successfully address these complex societal issues.

Distinct Differences From Other Offerings

The Grand Challenges Scholars Program teaches engineers very important skills in learning how to deal with the biggest problems facing our society. This program is different because it explicitly defines the most relevant problems to our public and allows students across campus to participate. Students are able to collaborate with other engineers that are active in the scholarship program.  Not only will this program teach engineering students the skills necessary to solve problems, but it will also raise awareness around the most important worldly challenges and will inspire young engineers to tackle those challenges. The Grand Challenges Scholars Program is also 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 the program across many different campuses across the country. Check out this article to see what Washington has to say about the NAE!

Impact Achieved For Students and Campus

Steps Required To Bring Resource to Campus

Interested in the National Academy of Engineering Grand Challenges Scholars Program? 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 as well. To develop an approved program, follw these steps: 

  1. Join the GCSP Community. You can also join the listserv to keep up with the lestest GCSP information and news!
  2. Describe the GCSPvision to your school and create a GCSP operational document (PDF). It may be helpful to look at operational documents from existing programs.
  3. Students are able to pick one of the 14 grand challenges as long as it is aligned with the 5 GC curricular components. 
  4. Submit application by emailing your completed operational document to Dr. Jenna Carpenter, Chair of the NAE GCSP Steering Committee. 
  • Describe how GC scholars will be selected, including anticipated number of students involved and how the five GC curricular components will be met at your school.
  • 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.

      ​5. The Steering Committee will review your application and provide feedback (most applicants typically make one revision). When                          the Steering Committee approves your operational document, you will become an official member of the NAE GCSP family!

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

Project Director

Randy Atkins
Project 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)

For Additional Information

Please contact Randy Atkins, Project Director, at engineeringchallenges@nae.edu.

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