Conversion of Collegiate EPICS to a K-12 Program
The Engineering Projects in Community Service (EPICS) Program is nationally recognized for teaching engineering design in a service-learning context that brings students and community organizations together through long term partnerships. The tremendous potential for K-12 programs and their own positive undergraduate experience motivated EPICS alumnae to approach a local high school with the concept of starting a high school EPICS program in Bedford, Indiana with support from Crane Naval Surface Warfare Center and the American Society of Naval Engineers. The first year resulted in a working prototype and a provisional patent in the second year along with a 3rd place finish in the Idea to Product Competition at Purdue University. This paper will describe how the EPICS model has been modified to fit the high school environment, results to date and plans for the future, including possible integration into the high school curriculum