Engineering for good: A case of community driven engineering innovation

Keywords: New product development, economic development, community engagement

Abstract

There is a culture of disengagement from social consideration in engineering disciplines. This means that first year engineering students, who arrive planning to change the world through engineering, lose this passion as they progress through the engineering curriculum. The community driven technology innovation and investment program described in this paper is an attempt to reverse this trend by fusing community engagement with the normal engineering design process. This approach differs from existing project or trip based approaches – outreach – because the focus is on local communities with which the university team forms a long-term partnership through weekly in-person meetings and community driven problem statements – engagement.

Author Biographies

Chinweike Eseonu, Oregon State University

Assistant Professor,

School of Mechanical, Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

Martin A Cortes, Oregon State University
Mechanical Engineering Student, School of Mechanical, Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering and President, Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, Oregon State University, Oregon USA

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Published
2018-06-04
Section
Articles