Grand Challenges for Engineering National Academy of Engineering

1 grand challenges engineering

1.1 development of grand challenges (2008)
1.2 reception
1.3 grand challenge scholars program (gcsp)
1.4 stem education, technological literacy , grand challenges
1.5 global grand challenges summit

grand challenges engineering

the grand challenges confront wicked social issues inherently global in nature , require technological innovations , applications of systems thinking. further, nae argues solutions call upon engineers persuasively influence ...public policy, transfer technical innovation market place, , inform , informed social science , humanities. nae s grand challenges overlap united nations millennium development goals , 2015 successor, sustainable development goals (sdgs) depend upon strong engineering component success.

development of grand challenges (2008)

the academy introduced grand challenges engineering project in 2007 commissioning of blue ribbon committee composed of leading technological thinkers around globe. committee, led former secretary of defense william perry charged task of identifying ..key engineering challenges improving life in 21st century. nae s intent develop set of challenges of such importance warranted serious investment , if successful, lead marked improvement in our quality of life. project received ...thousands of inputs around world determine list of grand challenges engineering, , report reviewed more 50 subject-matter experts, making among reviewed of academy studies. in february 2008, committee announced 14 engineering grand challenges fitting 4 broad categories: energy, sustainability, , global climate change; medicine, health informatics , health care delivery systems; reducing our vulnerability natural , human threats; , advancing human spirit , capabilities. nae noted number of engineering schools had developed coursework based upon grand challenge themes. .

the 14 grand challenges engineering developed nae committee to

make solar energy economical
provide energy fusion
develop carbon sequestration
manage nitrogen cycle
provide access clean water
restore , improve urban infrastructure
advance health informatics
engineer better medicines
reverse-engineer brain
prevent nuclear terror
secure cyberspace
enhance virtual reality
advance personalized learning
engineer tools of scientific discovery.

nae noted in report grand challenges engineering not ...ranked in importance or likelihood of solution, nor strategy proposed solving them. rather, offered way inspire profession, young people, , public @ large seek solutions. nae stated grand challenges ...not targeted 1 country or corporate sector... (and) ... relevant in every country. in fact, of them bear on survival of society. if solving these challenges can become international movement, benefit.

reception

one writer favorably observed academy s list of 20th century engineering achievements dominated devices , when asked project advances 21st, result again, device dominated. respect grand challenges, nae reframed discussion being device centric addressing complex or wicked social issues cannot solved technology alone, i.e. more devices. grand challenges though, nae ...charted course ... (engineering) ... move devices global social challenges, , has identified number of exciting ones.

one critical reaction nae s challenges noted engineers today ...unacknowledged legislators of world ... (and by) ... designing , constructing new structures, processes, , products, influencing how live as laws enacted politicians. author argued nae s grand challenges should have included ...challenge of thinking doing turn world (engineering) artifact , appropriate limitations of engineering power. happening in netherlands delta works example of society being engineered artifact community of philosophers of engineering , technology.

another commentator observed challenges respect sustainability concentrated on specific elements of problem without addressing ... “what level of energy use sustainable on global scale. while india , china 1000-1500 watt per person societies, united states requires 12,000 w per person. estimate of sustainable level of power consumption made swiss group 2,000 w per person. similar questions raised on nae s challenge access clean water. average daily per capita water consumption in american cities varies 130 2000 liters (35 530 gallons) .

grand challenge scholars program (gcsp)

in 2010, nae developed plan preparing engineering students @ undergraduate academic degree level practice in career fields emerged result of effort answer grand challenges. program had 5 components, namely:

research experience based upon project or independent research related nae grand challenges.
interdisciplinary curriculum materials inclusive of ..public policy, business, law, ethics, human behavior, risk medicine , sciences.
entrepreneurship inclusive of skills translate ...invention innovation ... (and) ... develop market ventures scale global solutions in public interest.
global dimension , perspective necessary ..address challenges inherently global lead innovation in global economy.
service learning develops , engages engineer s social consciousness , willingness bring bear profession s technical expertise on societal problems thru programs such engineers without borders, or engineering world health.

stem education, technological literacy , grand challenges

while national academy of engineering s gc scholars (gcsp) program focused on undergraduate level curriculums, stem focuses on k–12 education. question stem educators how prepare k-12 students participate in solving wicked problems associated grand challenges. 1 response align stem program theories of learning , international technology , engineering educators association (iteea, formerly itea) technological literacy standards national academy of engineering s grand challenges in order guide current , pending curriculum development. nae s objective inform instructional practices, particularly dealing connections among science, technology, engineering, , mathematics education. technological literacy standards funded national science foundation , nasa , nae s technology education standards committee led academy s efforts on standards.

global grand challenges summit

as result of nae s grand challenge efforts, 3 national engineering academies–the national academy of engineering of united states, royal academy of engineering of united kingdom,and chinese academy of engineering–organized joint ‘‘global grand challenges’’ summit, held in london on march 12–13,2013.

in september 2015 second global grand challenges summit held in beijing, more 800 attendees invited 3 academies. third global grand challenges summit, hosted nae in united states in 2017.