Broader Impacts Support from the Center for the Enhancement of Engineering Diversity (CEED)
NSF: "Broader impacts may be accomplished through the research itself, through activities that are directly related to specific research projects, or through activities that are supported by, but are complementary to, the project. NSF values the advancement of scientific knowledge and activities that contribute to the achievement of societally relevant outcomes." Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (section II.C.2.d)
CEED welcomes partnerships with faculty on the broader impacts of NSF grant proposals.
Being part of these efforts enhances the proposals as well as CEED’s ability to offer high quality experiences for the pre-college population. Our goal is to allow faculty to focus on their strengths (technical expertise and passion for their subject area) by providing the logistical support needed to reach cohorts of students, in particular those that are underrepresented and underserved.
CEED coordinates approximately eight summer camp sessions, with participants ranging from 7th to 12th grade. CEED handles marketing, the application and selection process, housing and meals, transportation, evening and social activities and oversight of students. We can also reserve classrooms and provide laptops. Basically, we will bring the student to you, stay with them during the activity, and chaperone them to the next session when you are done. In 2022, close to 1,000 students participated in our summer programs.
In addition to these efforts, CEED also hosts multiple recruiting events, including Women’s Preview Weekend, during the academic year. We work closely with student organizations such as the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), Society of Women Engineers (SWE) and Society of Hispanic and Professional Engineers (SHPE) to provide these opportunities. We also maintain a large network of K-12 educational and community-based partners across the country and internationally.
A full listing of our pre-college programs can be found here.
To assess program outcomes and processes, CEED administers pre- and post-surveys including measures for engineering self-efficacy, engineering interest, and perceptions of engineering. Post surveys also include questions regarding the individual sessions such as whether the material was relevant to the student’s goals, contained new knowledge and was presented in a manner conducive to learning. Some summer programs also include focus groups at the beginning and end of their experience.
Between 2015 and 2020, grants that included CEED support letters received over $19 million dollars of funding.
If you would like to include CEED in your proposal or discuss the many possibilities for partnering on pre-college outreach, please contact Kim Lester, Director of Pre-college Programs at kimml61@vt.edu or 540-231-7337.
