Abstract
Insights from research discoveries trigger innovation and invention, and ultimately lead to commercialization of new products. This influx of new technologies feeds the economy, and in turn also sparks interest in the community. It is this excitement and promise that attracts students to the field—our future workforce of policy makers, manufacturing experts, engineers, scientists, educators, and other leaders. Appreciation of the interdependence of these three cornerstones—research, education, and society—is essential in creating our best future.
Highlights
The ecosystem of research, education, and community are described—both the interplay between them and their interdependence
I use university professors as the central actors throughout, and certainly they are key to research in academia, but it is my hope that others will identify with several aspects
The U.S government stated in 2016, that ‘‘To meet the projected workforce need of 1 million additional STEM graduates by 2022, and to realize the vision of a highly diverse, creative, and sufficient STEM workforce and a STEM-literate citizenry, the Nation must engage all students.’’[8] The U.S has reason to be concerned if the projected demographic changes occur (Figure 3)
Summary
The ecosystem of research, education, and community are described—both the interplay between them and their interdependence. Community may be defined as the public, industry, parents and their children—families, government, scientists, engineers, and non-scientists. They say it takes a village—and these villages have policy makers, manufacturing experts, engineers, scientists, educators, and other leaders. To reap the full richness of opportunities, it is essential for professors to contribute to all three cornerstones by conducting original research, delivering enriching education to develop talent of a diverse population, and connecting and contributing to the communities in which they live. A. Education Content In 2009, the National Academies of Engineering (NAE) endorsed the Grand Challenges Scholars Program (GCSP) and in doing so defined the value of engineering in a world context. More than 100 engineering schools in twelve countries (Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, India, Italy, Malaysia, Romania, Singapore, Taiwan, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States) have implemented this program or are in the process of doing so
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