Standards in various fields call for students to demonstrate social skills that are developed through interactive work with the community. At Purdue University in Lafayette, Indiana, engineering faculty in the EPICS (Engineering Projects in Community Service) project teach their students communication skills by having them discern the needs of community members and design producets to meet those needs. For instance, after meeting with physically disabled children and the adults who work with the children, one group of twelve students crafted a dollhouse that was made physically and mentally exciting for the children. In the process, the students developed their skills not only as engineers, but also as caring members of the Lafayette community.
From Service Matters 1998: Engaging Higher Education In the Renewal of America s Communities and American Democracy
More information on the project:
The Program is a service-learning program centered at Purdue University and supported by a Learn and Serve America Higher Education grant. Students from freshmen though seniors work in multi-disciplinary teams to solve engineering-based real world community problems in partnership with community service and education groups. Last year, the program involved 249 students from 20 different university departments, including liberal arts as well as engineering majors. Notre Dame and Iowa State universities also have EPICS service-learning efforts.
The Results:Last Spring, Purdue EPICS students developed a database for the Tippecanoe County probation court and county caseworkers. Other initiatives included a “”web information system”" for the local Habitat for Humanity – EPICS, and facilities designed for Purdue students with disabilities. Purdue and Notre Dame EPICS students set up database systems for community agencies serving the homeless in Lafayette and South Bend. A survey of service-learning participants resulted in 75% saying EPICS made them more resourceful, 70% reported a positive impact on organizational skills and 83% said their communication skills benefited.
Why It Works: Local industry joins faculty members advising the 20 EPICS student teams. Starting this fall, an advisor from Microsoft in Washington State will conduct a pilot experiment in distance advising through video teleconferences. The Local Corporate Partners Program and Corporate Team Sponsor Program seek to match an industry partner with each team. There is strong support from the universities. The Program Director, Professor William Oakes, was chosen as a Campus Compact Faculty Fellow.
Lessons: Building on the success at Purdue, Notre Dame, and Iowa State, EPICS is expanding to involve three additional schools, including Wisconsin-Madison, Georgia Tech, and Case Western Reserve. Microsoft Research endorsed EPICS as a model for service-learning and has pledged over $1 million in software, training materials and books. The expanded effort is supported by a Learn and Service America Higher Education grant.
Website: http://epics.ecn.purdue.edu/
Contact: Co-Directors – Leah H. Jamieson, lhj {at} ecn.purdue(.)edu or William C. Oakes, oakes {at} purdue(.)edu
