EPICS PROJECT

“EPICS” stands for Engineering Projects in Community Service-Learning. In the program, teams of students with varying interests and strengths work on projects that solve engineering and technology-based problems with community service and education organizations. This partnership provides many benefits to the students and the community alike

The purpose of the EPICS program is to empower engineering student groups to work with high school students on EPICS community service-related engineering projects, and by institutionalizing the program within the institute of electrical and electronic engineering (IEEE). Through such arrangement, Students will work at their ideas, inventions and creations purposely to transform them into solutions that could benefit communities by addressing their emerging and long-standing needs.

EPICS High is providing an opportunity to tap into the wave of volunteerism while working to interest more students in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) fields. EPICS High has since grown quickly. Included in the mission of the EPICS High program is outreach to underrepresented minority populations. EPICS is showing impact in these areas with high percentages of females and minorities, as well as free and reduced lunch students participating in the program.

In EPICS High programs students work in teams and partner with a not-for-profit partner. Students design projects to meet the needs of the community partner enabling them to better serve residents in the local community. Partnerships are key to the EPICS program. Community partners serve as the customers, corporate and university students serve as mentor to the students offering expertise, and the coordinating institutions/ partners offer financial and/or material support needed.