WPI’s Global WPI’s Global Perspective ProgramPerspective Program

Projects for Undergraduate Students Projects for Undergraduate Students Around the WorldAround the World

Holly K. AultHolly K. AultAssoc. Professor, MEAssoc. Professor, ME

Center Director, MelbourneCenter Director, Melbourne

http://www.wpi.edu/+global

Where in the World is WPI?Where in the World is WPI?

Over 30 International Project Sites on 5 Continents

http://www.wpi.edu/+global

Growth of the Global Perspective ProgramGrowth of the Global Perspective Program

WPI has sent over 5800 students off-campus since 1974WPI has sent over 5800 students off-campus since 1974Class of 2005 - 70% of graduates had an off-campus experienceClass of 2005 - 70% of graduates had an off-campus experience

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http://www.wpi.edu/+global

So how does WPI manage to do So how does WPI manage to do this?this?

• WPI offers opportunities to fulfill degree WPI offers opportunities to fulfill degree requirements elsewhere in the worldrequirements elsewhere in the world

• Unique curriculum and term systemUnique curriculum and term system

• Established & Competitive Recruiting CyclesEstablished & Competitive Recruiting Cycles

• Established Risk ManagementEstablished Risk Management

• Commitment to Student Centered ExperienceCommitment to Student Centered Experience

http://www.wpi.edu/+global

At WPI, all students At WPI, all students mustmust complete three projects:complete three projects:

• The Project in the Humanities and Arts

• The Interactive Project – not related to the major (IQP)

• The Discipline Specific, Technical Project – definitely related to the Major (MQP)

http://www.wpi.edu/+global

But, there is no reason students But, there is no reason students have tohave to staystay at WPI… at WPI…

• Six traditional exchange opportunities

• Three different opportunities to complete the humanities and arts project off campus

• Fourteen locations to complete the interactive project off campus (IQP)

• Ten different sites to complete the technical project (MQP)

http://www.wpi.edu/+global

What is an Interactive Project?What is an Interactive Project?

The Interactive Qualifying Project (IQP) challenges students to address a problem that lies at the intersection of science or technology and societal structures or human needs. The objective of the IQP is to enable WPI graduates to understand, as citizens and as professionals, how their careers will affect the larger society of which they are part. Generally, these projects involve some analysis of how technology affects, and is affected by, individuals and communities.

http://www.wpi.edu/+global

IQP Themes

• Technology and Environment• Energy and Resources • Health Care and Technology • Science & Technology Policy and

Management • Humanistic Studies of Technology • Education in a Technological Society • Law and Technology

http://www.wpi.edu/+global

Where have students Where have students gone to complete the gone to complete the Interactive Project?Interactive Project?

http://www.wpi.edu/+global

Students have completed the Students have completed the Interactive Project inInteractive Project in

Bangkok, Bangkok, ThailandThailand

Boston, Mass.Boston, Mass.Copenhagen, Copenhagen,

DenmarkDenmarkWashington, Washington,

DCDC

Hong Kong, Hong Kong, PRCPRC

London, UKLondon, UK

Melbourne, Melbourne, AustraliaAustralia

San JosSan José, é, Costa RicaCosta Rica

San Juan, San Juan, Puerto RicoPuerto Rico

Venice, ItalyVenice, Italy

Worcester, Worcester, Mass.Mass.

Windhoek, Windhoek, NamibiaNamibia

http://www.wpi.edu/+global

Where can students Where can students go to complete their go to complete their technical projects?technical projects?

http://www.wpi.edu/+global

Students can complete their technical Students can complete their technical projects at these sites projects at these sites

• Limerick, IrelandLimerick, Ireland• Lincoln Labs, Lincoln Labs,

Lexington, MALexington, MA• Johnson Space Johnson Space

Flight Center, TXFlight Center, TX• Budapest, HungaryBudapest, Hungary• The Gillette Co., The Gillette Co.,

Boston, MABoston, MA

• Nancy, FranceNancy, France• Wall Street, NYWall Street, NY• Silicon Valley, CASilicon Valley, CA• Gallo Wineries in Gallo Wineries in

Modesto, CAModesto, CA• Jet Propulsion Lab, Jet Propulsion Lab,

OHOH

(major dependent)(major dependent)

http://www.wpi.edu/+global

How do these projects How do these projects fit into such a tight fit into such a tight

schedule?schedule?

In other words, if I do a project off campus, can I still graduate in

four years?

http://www.wpi.edu/+global

Typical WPI Student’s Academic YearTypical WPI Student’s Academic Year

1 semester = 2 terms

1 term = 7 weeks

6 courses / semester

3 courses / term

A TermA Term B TermB Term C TermC Term D TermD Term

ExperimentationExperimentation

Advanced CADAdvanced CAD

Fluid MechanicsFluid Mechanics

Principles of EEPrinciples of EE

Physics IVPhysics IV

Project = 3 coursesProject = 3 courses

Project in Bangkok

Soc.Sci. MethodsSoc.Sci. Methods

Machine Design

Linear Algebra

Art History

ProposalProposal

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SponsorSponsor

LiaisonLiaison

Resident Resident Faculty Faculty

AdvisorsAdvisors

Center Center DirectorDirector ProjectProject

Preparation Preparation InstructorInstructor

Orientation and Orientation and Re-Entry Re-Entry

FacilitatorFacilitator

Student Student ExperienceExperience

Risk Risk Management Management

TeamTeam

Local Local CoordinatorCoordinator

Support ServicesSupport Services

http://www.wpi.edu/+global

Educational Outcomes Realized by Educational Outcomes Realized by a Global Experiencea Global Experience

• Solving Solving real-world, open-endedreal-world, open-ended problemsproblems• Working inWorking in teamsteams• Improving written & verbalImproving written & verbal communicationcommunication• MakingMaking connectionsconnections betweenbetween

– Classroom and experiential learningClassroom and experiential learning– Impact of decisions of the profession on culture and Impact of decisions of the profession on culture and

communitycommunity– Impact of culture and community on decisions of the Impact of culture and community on decisions of the

professionprofession

• Professional and personalProfessional and personal growthgrowth

http://www.wpi.edu/+global

The Students

• Leigh Duren, ME’06 – IQP, Bangkok, C term 2005 – President’s IQP Award

• Tara Barden, ME’05– MQP, Melbourne, C term 2005– Sandia fellowship, MS Fire Protection Eng.

• R. William Lapp, MSCS’02– IQP, Melbourne, D term 2001– Technical Escalation Manager, Cisco Systems

http://www.wpi.edu/+global

WPI…All Around the World,WPI…All Around the World,Preparing Students for Life!Preparing Students for Life!