Work in progress — Engineering for society: Engaging students through energy innovation ventures

As reported by the National Center for Educational Statistics (NCES 2009-161), approximately one third of students who enter an undergraduate program in STEM switched to a non-STEM field over the next six years. NYIT, together with Columbia University, Syracuse University and Rowan College joined to form a unique collaborative, multi-institutional framework aimed at increasing the number of college graduates in STEM fields. The project utilizes energy as the unifying innovation and discovery theme to engage students through integrated (STEM) programs and activities and entice them to consider engineering as a career path. Various scientific, energy-related engineering concepts will be identified, and curriculum-appropriate teaching modules and activities around those concepts will be developed and integrated into high school and college curricula. The project specific goals are: 1) To develop content in the area of energy engineering in college and high school curricula, 2) To enhance creativity and invention around the energy engineering theme, 3) To utilize online technology and multi-media to ease communication and dissemination of energy engineering concepts and activities. This paper will present the commitments and strategies that NYIT, as a team member, will undertake to meet the goals of the project through its programs and course offerings and to organize on-site and virtual teachers´ workshops serving the needs of all participating institutions through its highly reputed Technology Based Learning Systems (TBLS).