Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
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Overall Score | 56.90 |
Liaison | Paul Mathisen |
Submission Date | April 16, 2015 |
Executive Letter | Download |
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
IN-1: Innovation 1
Status | Score | Responsible Party |
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1.00 / 1.00 |
John
Orr Professor Liberal Arts & Computer Engineering |
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indicates that no data was submitted for this field
Title or keywords related to the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome:
Interactive Qualifying Project
A brief description of the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome :
WPI believes that in order to become the best engineers and scientists they can be, students should have a broad understand of the cultural and social contexts of those fields, and thus be more effective and socially responsible practitioners and citizens. That's the intent of the Interactive Qualifying Project (IQP), a nine-credit-hour interdisciplinary requirement for all undergraduates involving applied research that connects science or technology with social issues and human needs.
The IQP is not organized as a course, not is it related to the major. Instead, small teams of students work under the guidance of faculty members from all disciplines to conduct research, using social science methods, directed at a specific problem or need. Students deliver findings and recommendations through formal reports and oral presentations to project sponsors (often nonprofit, municipal, or government agencies) and faculty advisors.
Sustainability serves as a common theme for IQPs, many of which address problems related to energy, environment, sustainable development, education, cultural preservation, and technology policy.
A brief description of any positive measurable outcomes associated with the innovation (if not reported above):
The most tangible outcome from the IQPs are the reports that students provide to project sponsors. These reports are available through a searchable online database maintained by WPI's Gordon Library. Less measurable but ultimately more important is the learning that occurs as a result of participation in the IQP. WPI faculty created the IQP to help students learn to solve real-world problems and make decisions with an understanding of and appreciation for the social and humanistic contexts of their work. The IQP also is central to how WPI students learn to do research, write, and work in teams.
A letter of affirmation from an individual with relevant expertise:
Which of the following STARS subcategories does the innovation most closely relate to? (Select all that apply up to a maximum of 5):
Yes or No | |
Curriculum | Yes |
Research | Yes |
Campus Engagement | No |
Public Engagement | Yes |
Air & Climate | No |
Buildings | No |
Dining Services | No |
Energy | No |
Grounds | No |
Purchasing | No |
Transportation | No |
Waste | No |
Water | No |
Coordination, Planning & Governance | No |
Diversity & Affordability | No |
Health, Wellbeing & Work | No |
Investment | No |
Other topic(s) that the innovation relates to that are not listed above:
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The website URL where information about the innovation is available :
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.