Promoting engineering education to non-technical audiences: “Your water: where’s it come from, what’s in it, and will it be here tomorrow?” David Cwiertny University of Iowa Keywords: sustainability, undergraduate education, non-technical communication

Why? Problem being addressed: –Solving most engineering challenges requires more than engineers –For example, achieving water sustainability will require public awareness of the water crisis and acceptance of new management paradigms Educational objectives: –Produce a better-engaged citizenry empowered to be active participants in their future water governance. –Increase the number of highly qualified students from diverse educational backgrounds pursuing careers related to water resource policy, technology and management.

When? “Your water: where it comes from, what’s in it, and will it be here tomorrow?” is a multi-disciplinary course exploring society’s fragile and complex relationship with its freshwater resources. The initial course offering was in Fall 2012 The current 2015 offering represents its fourth iteration This year, the course structure was overhauled to incorporate more current events (e.g., California drought) and promote more interactive discussion

Where? The semester-long course is taught each Fall at the University of Iowa and offered through the UI First Year Seminar Series This program is also intended to promote skills for undergraduate success at UI (e.g., communication, working in teams, critical thinking) Enrollees (~20 first year UI students) participate in 1 h of lecture per week over the 15 week semester In 2014, the course was integrated with Green Adventures, the sustainability focused Living-Learning Community at UI In 2015, the course has been offered through the UI Honors Program

What? This course is unique because of its audience (non-engineers/non-scientists) and instructional materials (recent books and other popular/social media about water resources). Lecture plans focus on non-technical communication of engineering concepts related to water resources Popular assignments include daily/virtual water use calculations, comparing the price of water to other liquids, and “where my water comes from” Popular activities including meeting authors of course texts, treatment plant tours, and water taste testing.

Prognosis? Assessment through course evaluations and tracking of course alumni Plans for scale up include developing a general education course at UI via the Sustainability Certificate Program. Online offerings have also been considered to broaden audience. Challenges include offer a transdisciplinary course in a rigid, department-based academic structure Advice needed: How to enable scale up, including venues or platforms to reach broader audience. Better assessment tools for resource limited course.