May 8 awards announcement at Newseum highlights creative approaches to retaining undergraduates in engineering and computer science
As a new crop of graduates from U.S. colleges and universities hits the street, the country is counting on a new wave of skilled workers to navigate a complex set of challenges to national security, health and rehabilitation, energy security, and reliability of critical infrastructure, among others.
In the critical fields of engineering and computer science, industry leaders lament an-inadequate supply of graduates with the knowledge and skills needed in business and industry. These are also fields in which women and minorities are chronically underrepresented.
The National Science Foundation (NSF) has partnered with Intel and GE to change the status quo through a targeted set of grants whose projects take creative approaches in engaging and retaining undergraduates in engineering and computer science. Both fields are dynamic, encompassing areas of focus that didn't even exist a couple of decades ago--from green energy and advanced robotics to cybersecurity. Engineering and computer science also offer good careers with salaries that can make a life-changing difference, especially to first-generation college students and their families.
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| On May 8, NSF will announce awardees of grants made through "Graduate 10K+," an effort funded with $10 million in donations from Intel and the GE Foundation as well as a generous personal donation from Mark Gallogly. Image credits: Thinkstock (top left); Blake Harvey, NCSA (bottom left); from ATE Centers Impact 2011, www.atecenters.org (right) |
On May 8, NSF will announce awardees of grants made through "Graduate 10K+," an effort funded with $10 million in donations from Intel and the GE Foundation as well as a generous personal donation from Mark Gallogly.
Speakers include:
- Tom Kalil, deputy director for technology and innovation, White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP)
- Cora Marrett, acting director, National Science Foundation
- Kelvin Droegemeier, vice-chairman of the National Science Board (NSB)
- Kimberly Stevenson, Intel chief information officer
- Robert Schrafrik, special engineering projects manager, GE Aviation
A panel discussion, "Successful Pathways for Increasing Engineering and Computer Science Graduates," moderated by Norman Fortenberry, executive director of the American Society for Engineering Education, features Gary May, dean of the College of Engineering at Georgia Tech, along with recipients of Graduate 10K+ awards.
Who: OSTP, NSF, NSB, Intel, GE, university and professional society representatives
What: An announcement of grants made under the Graduate 10K+ effort
When: Wednesday, May 8, 2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. , EST
Where: Knight Conference Center
The Newseum, 6th St. entrance
555 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, D.C. 20001
