ERC Education Programs

This site provides a window on the unique educational environment of the NSF Engineering Research Centers (ERCs). Since the first ERCs were established in 1985, they have brought major changes to both engineering research and education. In many ways the ERC Program has redefined the concept of a university research center. For example, direct involvement of undergraduate students in center research projects was a new and distinctive feature of the ERCs. ERC research and education focuses on complex engineered systems, using a cross-disciplinary team approach to problem-solving. It involves active collaboration with industrial researchers and an emphasis on relevance to industrial needs. Indeed, continuing education of engineers in practice is an important aspect of the ERCs partnerships with industry. Another important feature of ERC education is active outreach to involve faculty and students from other schools-including precollege students and teachers-in ERC research and education programs.

Education is not a by-product of the ERCs-it is a central focus. Every ERC has a senior member of the administrative staff who serves as Education Coordinator or Director of Education. ERC management and faculty include strategic planning of the education program as an integral part of overall center planning. This practice helps to ensure the thorough integration of research and education that is a key feature of ERCs.

The centers have developed many innovative programs to leverage the strong aspects of ERC research and education not only into the engineering schools, but also out into the wider educational environment. An excellent example is the Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program, which most ERCs offer. The purpose of the REU program is to involve talented undergraduates in active research projects, usually during the summer, working alongside ERC researchers and students. REU students may come from the ERC's host university or another institution.

Bringing greater diversity into the engineering workforce is a priority of the ERCs. Every ERC has special, individual programs aimed at diverse groups of prospective engineering and technical students such as women and minorities, high school students, technical community college students, etc.

The links below lead to detailed descriptions of the education programs at individual ERCs.

ERC EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

ERC ACHIEVEMENTS IN EDUCATION AND OUTREACH

Students might wish to visit the website of the American Society for Engineering Education to learn about many opportunities in engineering education.

If you have specific comments and questions on the contents of this site and/or its use, please contact webmaster@erc-assoc.org.