2025 Collaborative Network for Engineering & Computing Diversity (CoNECD)

This case study examines the integration of an Early College High School (ECHS) with the Grand Challenges Scholars Program (GCSP) at a prominent R1 public institution in the United States. The collaboration aims to empower K-12 students from underrepresented minority (URM) groups by engaging them in research to prepare them for successful careers in engineering and computer science. These URM students include first-generation college students and individuals from diverse racial, ethnic and gender backgrounds.

The GCSP, endorsed by the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) in 2009 and supported by over 90 institutions worldwide, equips undergraduate students to tackle Grand Challenges of the 21st Century. The program adopts a holistic approach to preparing scholars, emphasizing social consciousness, hands-on research skills, multidisciplinary knowledge, entrepreneurial experiences, and a global perspective. Since its establishment in 2013, the GCSP chapter at the university has mirrored the program’s broader success. In 2022, the university’s chapter launched the GCSP Research Experience for Undergraduates (GCSP-REU), which provides intensive mentorship and research opportunities to over 20 undergraduate engineering students. The GCSP-REU specifically targets students from marginalized populations and those without prior research experience; thus catalyzing their future successes [1].

The ECHS aligns with similar principles, focusing on holistic education to address the NAE Grand Challenges. It is dedicated to developing URM students by integrating project-based learning, problem-based inquiry, project management, and research skill into its curriculum. The ECHS and GCSP share core values and objectives, making their partnership a strategic effort to increase participation in engineering higher education and provide students with the support necessary for research success.

In the summer of 2023, this collaborative vision came to fruition with the launch of a joint research program. The inaugural ECHS cohort, consisting of four high school students, took part in a five-week research program alongside the GCSP-REU scholars. This initiative aimed to prepare these high school students for undergraduate engineering studies, while fostering interdisciplinary and inter-institutional collaboration. The program’s initial success was evident in its ability to challenge stereotypes and facilitate meaningful interactions between high school students and undergraduate scholars.

Feedback from the first cohort in 2023 prompted improvements for future iterations of the program. Program leaders applied the engineering design cycle to enhance participation and diversity, resolve logistical issues, strengthen support mechanisms, and ensure sustained growth. Additionally, ECHS students who were not part of the summer program were given the opportunity to join District C Teamship, a business problem-oriented internship established by the ECHS. This experience contributed to refining program dynamics and improving student engagement. In subsequent iterations, the program expanded to include eleven ECHS students working across various research labs on campus. This development highlights the program’s growing success in advancing engineering education and research among URM groups. In summary, this case study illustrates a successful collaboration between ECHS and GCSP at an R1 institution to enhance diversity and inclusion in engineering and computer science fields by developing an innovative research program that prepares URM students for future success in these fields.