Engineering Design Via Community Service Projects
Level: Open to students entering grades 11 or 12 or freshman year of college in fall 2010.
Session: I, June 28-July 16, 2010; II, July 20-August 6, 2010
Days & Time: Monday-Friday, 10:00 AM-12:00 PM and 2:30-4:30 PM
Instructor(s): Jack McGourty, Staff
Related Course: Students interested in this course might also be interested in Introduction to Materials Science and Nanotechnology, offered in Session II, and Introduction to Architectural Design and Theory, offered in both sessions.
"I was surprised by the ‘hand-on’ approach to learning, for example: after we learned about energy audits, we went on a field trip to perform our own energy audits....the fun projects that we completed and the introduction to engineering that we experienced have helped me to decide what I’m interested in learning in college."
–Matt Lorenz, 2009
"Being able to work with the New York park system and do community service has been a great pleasure."
–Andrea Huang, 2009
Course Description
A hands-on, intensive course in which students develop an original engineering design and have the opportunity to hone the essential professional skills associated with engineering design.
Students are introduced to basic engineering design and to the complementary professional skills essential for anyone who plans to study engineering and applied sciences (computer science, applied physics, and applied mathematics) in college. Students learn design by working on real, socially oriented projects for real clients selected from the nonprofit sector within and near Columbia University. Students have access to the world famous, state-of-the-art multimedia and interactive facility, the Botwinick Gateway Laboratory, and apply computer technologies such as computer-aided modeling, computational techniques, and Web applications as they serve their design projects. Technical engineering design subjects are discussed along with professional skill development topics including: teamwork, creative thinking, oral and written presentation, and project management. Students receive ongoing feedback and support from instructors, peers, clients, and other professionals.
Instructor(s)
Faculty
Jack McGourty
Jack McGourty is associate dean for undergraduate studies at the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science, Columbia University. Dean McGourty is responsible for the academics, research, and advising for undergraduate students in engineering and applied science. He is the lead instructor for the Gateway Lab design course required for all first year Columbia engineering and applied science students. He teaches courses on the history of technological innovation and technology management at the undergraduate and graduate level. His research interests focus on technological innovation processes, the cognitive and behavioral nature of design, invention, and innovation, and the integration of information technology and assessment methods for student learning. Dean McGourty received a Ph.D. in applied psychology from Stevens Institute of Technology. He is an active member in the American Psychological Association, American Psychological Society, the American Society for Engineering Education, and the Product Development and Management Association. He serves as an associate editor for the Journal of Engineering Education and as editor for Current Issues in Technology Management, a publication by the consortia of academic and industrial partners hosted by Stevens Institute of Technology. He has published several articles and book chapters on assessment, technological innovation, and educational related topics and is co-author of the Team Developer, a multi-source assessment and skill building system published by John Wiley & Sons.
Specific course information, such as hours and instructors, are subject to change at the discretion of the University.
