Natalie A. Mello

Preparing faculty for a global experience

Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) has long embraced a project-based curriculum that now extends around the globe. WPI is committed to providing students and faculty with a safe and healthy experience off-campus making sure educators have the skills to help students succeed educationally as well as cope with safety, social, and behavioral issues. The Global Perspective Program, philosophy with regard to risk management, health and safety issues in study abroad are discussed and a model for training is described as faculty is equipped to handle unconventional roles beyond the classroom. Some of the areas addressed include advice and supports for helping students and faculty leaders acquire the cultural, communications, team-building and problem-solving abilities needed for a successful experience abroad

Providing international experiences for US engineering students-it can be done!

This panel presents three different models of international engineering opportunities. Each of these universities-Boston University, University of Rhode Island and Worcester Polytechnic Institute-has developed international opportunities for undergraduate engineers that work within their respective curricula and offer an enhanced education to students who take advantage of the opportunities offered. This session provides an understanding of the management and logistical structure of each program, and how it fits into the respective curricula.

The WPI global perspective program: preparing for assessment and ABET 2000

Worcester Polytechnic Institute (USA) has been practicing innovative, project-based technological education for over 25 years. WPI requires all undergraduates to complete a series of projects, including one in which they examine how science or technology interacts with societal structures and values. Because of its commitment to a global perspective, the university offers its students opportunities to complete this unique degree requirement at locations around the world. WPI operates ten international project programs where students, with resident faculty advisors, live and work full time solving real-world problems for public and private agencies and organizations. WPI sends more engineering and science students overseas for experiential learning than any other US college or university; during the 1998-99 academic year, approximately 350 WPI students-including over half of the junior class-will travel to a global project site to complete one of these interdisciplinary projects. In this paper, the authors describe WPIs Global Perspective Program, and discuss how the educational objectives of project-based learning are met through this unique program. They discuss some benefits of the program, which include addressing the new criteria set forth by ABET 2000, internationalization of the faculty, student body and curriculum, and an enhanced global perspective on campus. An outline of current developments within WPIs Global Perspective Program including assessment initiatives, enhancement of student preparation, faculty development programs, student participation in program growth and marketing, and student re-entry programs are also described.