Inspiring creativity for the Engineer of 2020

Abstract

In 2004, The National Academy of Engineering released its seminal work, The Engineer of 2020 - Visions of Engineering in the New Century. The text attempts to prepare industrial, governmental, and academic institutions for the future of engineering. The report stated that an “Emphasis on the creative process will allow more effective leadership in the development and application of next-generation technologies to problems of the future.” In October 2011, electrical and computer engineering undergraduates from the Valparaiso University College of Engineering participated in three days of creativity instruction. While the course was taught primarily by a member of the College of Engineering faculty; it also included one topic session and on-location tours (near Orlando, Florida) that were led by instructors from an external training organization. Pre- and post-class surveys revealed a marked improvement in the students' confidence and understanding of creativity and the creative process. Finally, the students were able to demonstrate their creativity lessons by their success in a post-class creativity problem-solving session.