Program areas National Academy of Engineering

1 program areas

1.1 greatest engineering achievements of 20th century

1.1.1 reception


1.2 grand challenges engineering

1.2.1 development of grand challenges (2008)
1.2.2 reception
1.2.3 grand challenge scholars program (gcsp)
1.2.4 stem education, technological literacy , grand challenges
1.2.5 global grand challenges summit


1.3 frontiers of engineering
1.4 diversity in engineering workplace
1.5 center advancement of scholarship on engineering education
1.6 engineering, economics, , society
1.7 center engineering, ethics, , society
1.8 engineering , environment

program areas
greatest engineering achievements of 20th century

in february, 2000, national press club luncheon during national engineers week 2000 sponsored nae, astronaut/engineer neil armstrong announced 20 top engineering achievements having greatest impact on quality of life in 20th century. twenty-nine professional engineering societies provided 105 nominations selected , ranked top 20 achievements. niminations pared less fifty , combined 29 larger categories.

thus, bridges, tunnels, , roads merged interstate highway system, , tractors, combines, robot cotton pickers, , chisel plows lumped agricultural mechanization.

some of achievements, though, such telephone , automobile not invented in 20th century included because of impact had not apparent until 20th century. top achievement, electrification essential part of modern society , has ...literally lighted world , impacted countless areas of daily life, including food production , processing, air conditioning , heating, refrigeration, entertainment, transportation, communication, health care, , computers. later in 2003, national academy of engineering published century of innovation: twenty engineering achievements transformed our lives.

the ranked list of top 20 achievements in 20th century published follows:

reception

the nae s achievements list criticized ranking space technology (listed spacecraft ) twelfth instead of number 1 despite nae recognizing in report soviet union s sputnik “shocked world , started space race launched greatest engineering team effort in american history.” (nae, 2000) time magazine ran similar poll of 20th century accomplishments , web-site users ranked first moon landing in 1969 in second place versus nae s 12th. nae listing criticized not recognizing role physics played in laying foundations engineering accomplishments such michael faraday , joseph henry electrification. nae s list ranked electronics based upon 2 inventions, transistor , integrated circuits, neglected mention physicist inventors, john bardeen, walter h. brattain, william b. shockley, jack kilby , robert noyce. commentator noted list ignored st. lawrence seaway , power project, built between 1954 , 1959 , extension panama canal. st. lawrence seaway ...one of largest transborder projects ever undertaken 2 countries , 1 of greatest engineering achievements of 20th century.

it noted these 20th century accomplishments did not come without impacts on environment or societies. electrification example, resulting in fossil-fuel-burning power plants, airplanes , automobiles emit greenhouse gases while electronics manufacturing leaves heavy-metal byproducts.

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.

frontiers of engineering

the frontiers of engineering program assembles group of emerging engineering leaders - aged 30–45 - discuss cutting-edge research in various engineering fields , industry sectors. goal of meetings bring participants collaborate, network, , share ideas. there 3 frontiers of engineering meetings every year: u.s. frontiers of engineering symposium, german-american frontiers of engineering symposium, , japan-america frontiers of engineering symposium. indo-u.s. frontiers of engineering symposium held every other year.

diversity in engineering workplace

the goal of diversity office participate in studies addressing issue of increasing , broadening domestic talent pool. through effort nae convenes workshops, coordinators other organizations, , identifies program needs , opportunities improvement.

as part of effort nae has launched both engineergirl! , engineer life webpages.

the center advancement of scholarship on engineering education

the center advancement of scholarship on engineering education. established advance engineering education in united states, aiming curriculum changes address needs of new generations of engineering students , unique problems face challenges of 21st century.

the center worked closely committee on engineering education, works improve quality of engineering education providing advice policy makers, administrators, employers, , other stakeholders.

the center no longer active within national academy of engineering.

engineering, economics, , society

this program area studies connections between engineering, technology, , economic performance of united states. efforts aim advance understanding of engineering s contribution sectors of domestic economy , learn engineering may enhance economic performance.

the project aims investigate best ways determine levels of technological literacy in united states among 3 distinct populations in united states: k-12 students, k-12 teachers, , out-of-school adults. report (and associated website), technically speaking, explains technological literacy is, why it’s important, , being done in u.s. improve it.

center engineering, ethics, , society

the center engineering, ethics, , society seeks engage engineers , engineering profession in identiftying , resolving ethical issues in associated engineering research , practice. center works closely linked online ethics center.

engineering , environment

this program, recognizing engineering profession has been associated causing environmental harm, looks recognize , publicize profession @ forefront of mitigating negative environmental impacts. program provide policy guidance government, private sector, , public on ways create more environmentally sustainable future.