WPI’s Global Perspective Program Projects for Undergraduate Students Around the World Holly K. Ault Assoc. Professor, ME Center Director, Melbourne

Where in the World is WPI? Over 30 International Project Sites on 5 Continents

Growth of the Global Perspective Program WPI has sent over 5800 students off-campus since 1974 Class of % of graduates had an off-campus experience

So how does WPI manage to do this? WPI offers opportunities to fulfill degree requirements elsewhere in the worldWPI offers opportunities to fulfill degree requirements 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

At WPI, all students must 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)

But, there is no reason students have to stay 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)

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.

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

Where have students gone to complete the Interactive Project?

Students have completed the Interactive Project in Bangkok, Thailand Boston, Mass. Copenhagen, Denmark Washington, DC Hong Kong, PRC London, UK Melbourne, Australia San José, Costa Rica San Juan, Puerto Rico Venice, Italy Worcester, Mass. Windhoek, Namibia

Where can students go to complete their technical projects?

Students can complete their technical projects at these sites Limerick, IrelandLimerick, Ireland Lincoln Labs, Lexington, MALincoln Labs, Lexington, MA Johnson Space Flight Center, TXJohnson Space Flight Center, TX Budapest, HungaryBudapest, Hungary The Gillette Co., Boston, MAThe Gillette Co., Boston, MA Nancy, FranceNancy, France Wall Street, NYWall Street, NY Silicon Valley, CASilicon Valley, CA Gallo Wineries in Modesto, CAGallo Wineries in Modesto, CA Jet Propulsion Lab, OHJet Propulsion Lab, OH (major dependent)

How do these projects fit into such a tight schedule? In other words, if I do a project off campus, can I still graduate in four years?

Typical WPI Student’s Academic Year 1 semester = 2 terms 1 term = 7 weeks 6 courses / semester 3 courses / term A Term B Term C Term D Term Experimentation Advanced CAD Fluid Mechanics Principles of EE Physics IV Project = 3 courses Project in Bangkok Soc.Sci. Methods Machine Design Linear Algebra Art History Proposal

Sponsor Liaison Resident Faculty Advisors Center Director Project Preparation Instructor Orientation and Re-Entry Facilitator Student Experience Risk Management Team Local Coordinator Support Services

Educational Outcomes Realized by a Global Experience Solving real-world, open-ended problemsSolving real-world, open-ended problems Working in teamsWorking in teams Improving written & verbal communicationImproving written & verbal communication Making connections betweenMaking connections between –Classroom and experiential learning –Impact of decisions of the profession on culture and community –Impact of culture and community on decisions of the profession Professional and personal growthProfessional and personal growth

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

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