NUE: The Freshman Experience and Nanotechnology Solutions to Engineering Grand Challenges

在奥本大学（AU） Virginia Davis博士的指导下，这个名为“新生经历和纳米技术解决工程大挑战”的NUE项目的目标是开发六个教育模块，这些模块利用“工程大挑战”作为向工科新生教授纳米技术的框架。这些模块的目标将是：1)提高对纳米技术的认识和理解，作为实现ABET学生成果的一部分；2)让学生熟悉当前工程领域的重大挑战和潜在的纳米技术解决方案；3)提高学生对重大挑战和纳米技术对工程专业重要性的理解。一支训练有素的多样化的专业工程师队伍对社会的持续进步至关重要。纳米技术将是这一进步的关键因素，工程师将越来越被期望在这一领域有知识。在奥本大学工程学院（AU）内，这些模块将通过每个系提供的ENGR 1110课程、少数民族夏季桥梁项目（AEP）和六个生活学习社区（包括两个专注于代表性不足群体的社区）进行传播。在非盟之外的传播将通过NanoHub、国家科学、技术、工程和数学教育数字图书馆（NSDL）、YouTube、演讲和同行评审的出版物进行。预计这些模块不仅会带来知识的收获，还会提高学生的参与度和保留率。这将增强STEM的多样性。在授予非裔美国学生的工程学位数量方面，非盟大学排名第七，西班牙裔学生的数量也在不断增加。此外，模块组件可用于pi正在进行的外联和多样化活动。

The objective of this NUE project, The Fresman Experience and Nanotechnology Solutions to Engineering Grand Challenges, at Auburn University (AU), under the direction of Dr. Virginia Davis, is to develop six education modules that utilize Engineering Grand Challenges as a framework for teaching nanotechnology to freshmen engineering students. The goals of these modules will be to 1) increase nanotechnology awareness and understanding as part of achieving ABET student outcomes 2) to familiarize students with the current grand challenges in engineering and potential nanotechnology enabled solutions, and 3) to increase student understanding of the importance of grand challenges and nanotechnology to the engineering profession.A well trained diverse pool of professional engineers is critical for the continued advancement of society. Nanotechnology will be a critical factor in this advancement and engineers will be increasingly expected to be knowledgeable in this field. Within the Auburn University's College of Engineering (AU), the modules will be disseminated through the ENGR 1110 courses offered by each department, a minority summer bridge program (AEP), and six living learning communities (including two focused on underrepresented groups). Beyond AU dissemination will occur through NanoHub, the National Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Education Digital Library (NSDL), YouTube, and presentations and peer reviewed publications. It is expected that these modules will not only result in knowledge gains, but increase student engagement and retention. This will enhance the STEM diversity. AU is ranked 7th in terms of the number of engineering degrees awarded to African American students and has a growing number of Hispanic students. In addition, module components may be used in the PIs ongoing outreach and diversity activities.