US-Germany Collaboration in Materials for Extreme Environments: Developing an International Research Pathway Towards Creating Global Engineers for the Future

Keywords

global engineers; international research experience; engineering education

Abstract

The US-Germany Collaboration in Materials for Extreme Environments program was conceived to provide teams of graduate and undergraduate students from the University of Central Florida (UCF) the opportunity to conduct collaborative research with scientists from the German Aerospace Center (DLR), both in the US and in Germany. The program takes place over a period of three academic semesters and involves extensive pre-trip preparations, ten weeks conducting research abroad, and research continuation upon return. Outside of research, the students promote international engineering through mentoring. This work reports on the technical, professional, and global impacts of this unique program. Experiences gained at both their home and partner institutions improved the students’ research, professional, and global skills measured through publication outcomes, surveys, and propensity for graduate studies. Upon completion of the program, students were found to be more likely to pursue graduate studies. The students also perceived that the program had helped in improving their research, professional, and global skills as engineers. The program delivers these improvements by leveraging world-class facilities and scientific mentorship in both countries. Exposing undergraduate and graduate students to the challenges of an international research environment has impacts that carry on to the future workplace.

Date Created

March 2018

https://works.bepress.com/debraliz-isaac-aragones/1/download/

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