Gharib receives ASME Excellence in STEM Implementation Award
Published Jan 10, 2021
Dr. Mohamed Gharib from the Office of Engagement has received the Excellence in STEM Implementation Award from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) for his paper, “An Integrated Engineering Agriculture STEM Program.”
Gharib presented the paper at the ASME 2020 International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition (IMECE), which was held virtually in November 2020.
The paper presents an integrated science-engineering program designed to support and enhance student learning of science concepts while also increasing student understanding of global challenges in food and water security. This goes with close connection to the desire to increase in the domestic production of agricultural resources in developing countries in recent years. The program would engage students in learning and applying fundamental engineering skills to relatable real-world issues — namely, the design of hydroponics systems.
The paper was presented in the conference’s Pre-College (K-12) STEM, RET-University, School and Industry Alliance track, which includes K-12 outreach efforts by universities and their industry partners. Topics included modules of research and principles of engineering presented to the middle and high school students and teachers; outreach to high school students in the form of innovative engineering activities on college campuses; and research experiences for teachers.
IMECE is ASME's largest research and development conference focused primarily on mechanical engineering but also encompassing perspectives from many engineering disciplines.