The Creation and Evolution of an Energy Engineering and Education Outreach Model
Keywords:
energy, engineering, efficiency, STEM, outreach, education, interdisciplinaryAbstract
The Energy Engineering and Education Outreach Model is a new
model to introduce undergraduates to the field of energy engineering
and engage them in engineering education through K-12 outreach pro-
grams to promote ST(EE)2M: Science, Technology, Energy Engineering,
Engineering Education, and Math. The model places students with
mentors in the university’s facilities management department or energy
center where they gain valuable experience in assessing energy usage,
needs and areas of potential savings thereby helping the institution save
energy. The model utilizes undergraduates as university ambassadors
of the institution who can disseminate their intellectual knowledge and
help raise awareness of ST(EE)2M to the local community through K-12
engineering education outreach avenues such as Family STEM Nights
and energy clubs.
This article details the impetus for this model, its creation and
evolution. It is unique because it is a collaboration between the College
of Engineering and the College of Education thereby giving students
interdisciplinary educational experiences with a focus on energy. The
model is also flexible and can be applied at any institution.
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