2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

The Center for Bio-mediated and Bio-inspired Geotechnics (CBBG) is a National Science Foundation (NSF)-funded, third generation Engineering Research Center (ERC), comprising four partner universities: Arizona State University, Georgia Institute of Technology, New Mexico State University, and University of California, Davis. As the Center approaches its final year of funding, we reflect on a decade of educational programming. The Engineering Workforce Development (EWD) programs are designed to motivate and educate students from diverse backgrounds, inspiring a new generation of engineers interested in pursuing graduate degrees and careers in biogeotechnical engineering.

Over the past ten years, the Center has actively recruited students, teachers, and professionals from underrepresented populations to participate in CBBG EWD programs. The EWD has developed and honed a collection of programs and activities that prepare graduates and the professional workforce with the skills required for proficiency in the field: communication, engineering success, career connections, technical expertise, multicultural skills, and mentorship. Students participate in outreach by conducting lab tours and demonstrating their research at events. Activities of the EWD have produced expert-reviewed biogeotechnical curricula (webinars, modules, courses, etc.) for pre-college, undergraduate, graduate, and practitioner levels. The EWD has fostered industry engagement with CBBG students through research, internships, career connections, design challenges and more. Rigorous assessment and evaluation are seamlessly integrated into all aspects of the education and outreach programs, enabling systematic, ongoing improvement of activities and materials.

Plans for sustainability of the CBBG EWD partnerships and programs beyond the Center’s graduation into the Consortium of Bio-mediated and Bio-inspired Geotechnics include disseminating research through the International Conference on Bio-Mediated and Bio-inspired Geotechnics (ICBBG), sharing existing curricula through short courses and certificate programs, and continuing as the leader in biogeotechnical engineering.