NLI: Design and Development: A Framework for the Professional Formation of Sustainability-Minded Engineers

NSF Award Search · 01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT · $348,995 · view on nsf.gov ↗

Abstract

There is growing recognition in industry and academia that engineers must not only solve problems in their disciplines, but do so in ways that support environmental sustainability. While many engineering programs offer courses related to sustainability, such courses are often designed at the junior or senior level and isolated from other engineering topics in the core curriculum. A strategic, distributed, and coordinated approach is needed to adequately prepare students to be future leaders in engineering a more sustainable world, and the implementation of such an approach requires broader institutional change. In support of the goals of the Research in the Formation of Engineers program (RFE) program and its collaboration with the Lemelson Foundation, this project will develop an understanding of the processes and impacts of changes in curricula and programming at the University of Pennsylvania that are designed to develop sustainability-minded engineers. We use a new framework, Whole Student Mapping, to investigate and reshape elements of the student experience, with a particular focus on curricular offerings and the built environment. The funding for this project will support the purchase of new equipment that will enable students to learn sustainable design and manufacturing, the modification of existing core courses, the creation of new electives, and the development of a new graduate program in energy and sustainability engineering, as well as research on the impacts of

Key facts

NSF award ID
2533677
Awardee
University of Pennsylvania (PA)
SAM.gov UEI
GM1XX56LEP58
PI
Dustyn Roberts
Primary program
01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
All programs
EDUCATION RESEARCH, ENGINEERING EDUCATION
Estimated total
$348,995
Funds obligated
$348,995
Transaction type
Standard Grant
Period
09/01/2025 → 08/31/2028