Engineering Education's New Frontier
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Dr. Geoffrey C. Orsak
Dean of Engineering and Professor of Electrical Engineering-
Southern Methodist University
April 5, 2005 - 11:30 - 1:15 - ECJ Large Conference Room, 10th Floor
Abstract:
There are many well documented challenges in engineering education at the
collegiate level including student retention, diversity, and the modernization
of curricula and learning practices. However, there is increasing evidence that
the single largest hurdle in national engineering education lies in our nation's
K-12 education system. Performance in math and science as well as interest in
engineering and technology related careers for US high school students is low
when compared to our international competitors. To respond to this challenge,
six years ago a national team of experts created the Infinity Project - a
program whose intent was to bring state of the art high tech engineering
education to high schools across this country. Today, the Infinity Project is
offered in 26 states and three countries. Recent independent studies of the
program have shown that there is much that we can borrow from the design and
philosophy of this effort that also applies at the collegiate level including
the role that creativity plays in the learning and teaching of engineering.
View the Presentation
Bio:
Geoffrey C. Orsak, PhD is one of this nation’s key leaders in engineering education and its impact on economic development and global competitiveness.In his roles as Dean of the Southern Methodist University School of Engineering and Executive Director of the federally funded Institute for Engineering Education at SMU, Dr. Orsak has founded and created a number of nationally recognized programs, including The Infinity Project and Visioneering, that today reach millions of students across our country with innovative engineering curricula and educational experiences.
Dr. Orsak is a frequent contributor to national and regional media stories on engineering and education having been featured in over 100 newspaper and magazine articles and TV spots in outlets including US News and World Report, The Chronicle of Higher Education, Dallas Morning News, Associated Press, Washington Post, National Public Radio, Austin American Statesman, ABC, CBS, Fox, and TXCN amongst others.
An expert in communications and signal processing, he has been the lead researcher on more than 25 projects funded by federal, state, and local grants totaling more than $7 million. Dr. Orsak is a Fellow of the IEEE and is the recipient of the 2001 KPMG High Tech Award. In addition, he recently completed service on a National Academy of Engineering blue ribbon panel evaluating the Marine Corps’ science and technology programs and has in the past served as a DoD Science and Engineering Advisor through his participation on the Defense Science Study Group sponsored by the Institute for Defense Analysis.
Dr. Orsak has served on a number of international, national, and state boards including the IEEE Educational Activities Board, the Executive Committee of the Texas Engineering and Technical Consortium, Advisory Committee of the Technology Leadership Academy at the Texas Association of School Administrators, Advisory Committee of the Technology Business Council of the Greater Dallas Chamber of Commerce, Advisory Committee of Texas State Board of Educator Certification, Advisory Committee of the DFW Semiconductor Executive Committee, and on the Dallas Assembly.
Dr. Orsak received his B.S.E.E., M.E.E., and Ph.D. degrees in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Rice University.
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