Work in progress - Developing engineers for 2020 - An innovative curricular and co-curricular approach

The E2020 Scholars Program is a National Science Foundation Scholarships in STEM (S-STEM) Program providing scholarships for cohorts of first-year and transfer undergraduate engineering students. The conceptual framework of the E2020 Scholars Program is designed to advance the academic and professional development of the scholar using the college’s learning community infrastructure and building upon the aspirations and attributes of the National Academy of Engineering's (NAE) vision for the engineer of 2020. Programming includes a set of student development and learning opportunities consistent with this vision and includes curricular and co-curricular activities on the topics of leadership development, global awareness and understanding, systems thinking, and innovation. Index Terms – College student development, college transition, Engineer of 2020, holistic engineering education, scholarship programs. INTRODUCTION & CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK The E2020 Scholars Program is a National Science Foundation Scholarships in STEM (S-STEM) program and is unique for its focus on enhancing interest in engineering and broadening participation, promoting “community” and curricular and co-curricular partnerships via program development, and increasing the visibility and importance of engineering and science to society. Via a cohort model involving first-year and transfer undergraduate engineering students from diverse backgrounds, the E2020 Scholars Program seeks to improve educational opportunities for students, faculty and staff; advance a richer and sociallyresponsible understanding of engineering; and increase retention of students to degree achievement. The conceptual framework is designed to advance the academic and professional development of the scholar by applying best practices outlined in national benchmarks of effective educational practice that focus on institutional-specific engagement [1,2]. It leverages and complements the college’s learning community infrastructure, which improves retention and learning [3]; and builds upon the aspirations and attributes of the National Academy of Engineering's (NAE) vision for the engineer of 2020, resulting in a more socially conscious, globally aware and innovative engineering graduate and leader [4]. E2020 programming includes a set of student development and learning opportunities consistent with this vision and includes curricular and co-curricular activities on the topics of leadership development, global awareness and understanding, systems thinking, and innovation [5]. Altogether, the curricular and co-curricular dimensions of the educational experience merge to create an interdependent, multi-faceted and more holistic learning environment and community. Drawing upon Lave and Wenger’s situated learning theory [6] embedded in ISU’s learning community framework, Schlossburg’s student development transition theory [7], and team-based learning methods [8], initial curricular and co-curricular content of the scholarship program is focused on supporting the student transition to the university environment. First semester programming and communication centers on social, personal, and academic adjustments. “Community” development among the scholars and support by faculty and staff is a primary emphasis in years one and two. The first two years include weekly seminar courses that introduce the scholar to knowledge, skills and abilities in each of the four developmental areas of the program (also called pillars). The pillars are described as follows: Leadership development including teamwork, communication, and service; Global awareness and understanding including cultural adaptability; Systems thinking including interdisciplinary engineering design; and Innovation including creativity and entrepreneurship. Expected outcomes of the E2020 Scholars Program include academic and professional development opportunities and learning outcomes consistent with the NAE’s E2020 vision; increased retention of students to degree achievement; improved student support programs; and increased numbers of holistically-educated engineers. The E2020 Scholars Program recognizes the importance of scholarships in bringing students into STEM fields of study and broadening participation in engineering [9]. Scholars receive a $2,500 scholarship award, renewable up to four years. Scholarships are merit and need-based and the application process includes an essay component which provides insight into the students’ understanding of engineering’s role in creating solutions for the challenges outlined in the Grand Challenges for the 21 Century [10,11].