Leveraging the ASCE infrastructure report card in the STEM classroom

Abstract

Every four years, the American Society of Civil Engineers releases a national report card for America's infrastructure systems with the latest release occurring in March 2017. The Report Card provides not only an assessment of our infrastructure, but also an opportunity to engage and educate both the public and students in conversations about engineering. Beyond providing grades similar to a student's report card for 16 different categories of infrastructure across the country, the Report Card also addresses topics such as condition, capacity, resilience, and areas of innovation. Presented through a highly interactive website and mobile app, this can be a living tool for classroom conversations and investigations into engineering principles, design life, policy, and infrastructure systems. The Report Card, associated graphics and metrics, and the "grading" process itself can be utilized for students to begin inquiry-based learning through their own examination and evaluation of the infrastructure in their communities and beyond. This paper provides insight into the Infrastructure Report Card, how it was developed, and recommendations for utilization in the classroom. Examples include investigating infrastructure types (grades K-6), exploring local infrastructure and discussing safety, resilience and sustainability issues (grades 6-12), and exploring the economics of infrastructure (undergraduate engineering students).