Target Campuses

One aspect of our Year 7 in-depth planning was the identification of several campuses that we thought would be interested in our activities and that could also contribute to continued innovation on our own campuses. These campuses included

• University of Michigan
• Mississippi State
• Olin
• Smith
• RPI
• University of Texas–Austin
• Purdue

Numerous interactions between Foundation Coalition (FC) faculty and faculty/administrators on each of these campuses have taken place this year. The most exciting outcome of these interactions is a mini conference for faculty from Michigan, Purdue, Smith, and the FC focused on the role of Introduction of Engineering courses in the engineering curriculum (May 2001 at UW). The idea of a meeting among Big 10 schools that focuses on curriculum reform is unprecedented. These target schools have nationally recognized programs, and we have the opportunity to establish partnerships and collaborations with them. We will be able to present what the FC has accomplished to these schools and to learn about their programs, which will help all of us continue the spark of curriculum innovation. Smith will bring a unique perspective to the conference, being the only women's college to establish an engineering program. Also, the University of Texas will be sending two associate deans and several program coordinators to meet with administrators and faculty members in May 2001 and to learn about FC programs and results.

Cross-coalition Activities

The FC has partnered with the SUCCEED and Gateway coalitions to produce a working conference for engineering faculty in March of 2001. We will be leading workshops in the areas of:

Development of measurable objectives and outcomes Course objectives and classroom assessment Innovative sophomore engineering curricula Student teams: formation, development, facilitation, and assessment Cooperative learning: after the basics Systemic improvement in engineering education managing change Inclusive learning communities Engineering classrooms: before and after innovation

Engineering Deans

Texas A&M invited 150 deans of engineering to visit and explore curriculum innovation and opportunities for partnering. Throughout the spring, deans will visiting cohorts of 6 to 7 and will be informed of FC results and innovative classroom design. All have been offered the opportunity to have FC representatives deliver a host of workshops on their campuses. Other FC presentations that will offer administrators the opportunity to host FC workshops on their campuses include:

National EE Department Heads Association Annual Meeting: "Recruiting and Retaining a Diverse Faculty—the Positive Effects of Faculty Development Programs for Learning and Teaching" Engineering Deans Institute Annual Meeting: "Retaining Engineering Undergraduate Students—the Effects of Classroom Pedagogies on Retention"