Grand Challenges Deli (Discover, Explore, Learn, Imagine) project

Abstract

In Fall 2011, researchers in the College of Engineering at the University of Arizona received an NSF Transforming Undergraduate Education in STEM (TUES) grant to develop learner-centered materials and strategies for an existing engineering course required of entry-level students. The strategy for the project, named the GC DELI (Grand Challenges: Discover, Explore, Learn and Imagine), is to give freshmen engineering and prospective engineering students-some of whom are still in high school-an opportunity to explore interesting and relevant topics of their choice. Five unique web-based lines of study, referred to as Elective Units, are being designed to capture the interests of students with diverse backgrounds and to encourage higher-level thinking. The goals of the project are to increase the commitment of freshman engineering students to the pursuit of engineering as an academic major and a profession, to enhance the interest of high school students in engineering, and to increase the number of women and underrepresented minorities matriculating into engineering and ultimately graduating with a degree in engineering. © 2012 American Society for Engineering Education.