TECH SCEnE – Technology, Science, and Community Engagement in Engineering is aimed at collaborative undergraduate research between Michigan Technological University (MTU) and the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC) of the Lake Superior Band of Chippewa Indians. The program brings together faculty from the Departments of Biological Sciences (BioSc), Biomedical Engineering (BME) and Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) at MTU and the Natural Resources Department (NRD) at KBIC.

The projects defined directly impact the community, providing relatable research and cultural experiences. This unique undergraduate summer research experience will focus on place-based research experiences with continuous engagement with local communities and promoting cultural education among the future scientists and engineers. MTU is uniquely positioned in the landscape to provide an integrated university-community program, serving as a center for Science and Engineering in the Northern part of the Keweenaw Peninsula. Every project integrates engineering and community interest components. Each research team will work with mentors from MTU and KBIC, on-site along the beautiful shores of the Keweenaw Bay. 

Our Vision

Building on long-term university-community partnerships, TECH SCEnE will provide engineering and STEM field research experiences for undergraduates that is inclusive of, and responsive to, diverse cultural perspectives and local community priorities. Through a shared teaching and learning approach, the multi-disciplinary team, participants, and Tribal Nation community partners will discover from each other’s knowledge, skill sets, and cultural practices. Emphasis will be on broadening participation of Underrepresented minorities and Tribal Nations. We expect to contribute to scholarship in the advancement of a diverse workforce in STEM fields, and best practices associated with university-community research such as equitable approaches in STEM research, shared teaching and learning among diverse participants, and multi-directional, -cultural evaluation.

Our Goals

The project aligns with NSF commitment to capacity-building by broadening participation through preparing a diverse, globally engaged STEM workforce and expanding efforts to broaden participation from underrepresented groups and diverse institutions across geographical regions in all NSF activities. Our goals are 1) engineering approaches to monitoring and managing community resources and landscapes, and 2) key approaches and challenges of preparing a culturally aware workforce of tomorrow. Improvement in URM enrollment, retention, and graduation is anticipated. The education components foster knowledge exchange between MTU, KBIC and career opportunities in engineering and STEM for underrepresented minority students.  

Unique about this program:

• Learning about the culture and engaging with "nature" and tribal community; participate and engage in community exchange 

• Leadership and career workshop

• Using online research tools

• Participate in service-learning field trips with the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC). 

• 8-weeks research experience in bio-inspired related projects

• Stipend of $4800

• Travel allowance, accommodation and dining

• Projects teams will work in laboratories and on-site at the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community

• Projects feature topics from the following departments

  • Biological Sciences

  • Biomedical Engineering

  • Electrical and Computer Engineering

  • Applied Computing

  • Natural Resources Department at Keweenaw Bay Indian Community

• Learn more about graduate research and career opportunities

• Access campus facilities, participate in cultural events at KBIC and explore the great outdoors

Undergraduate students who are

• Enrolled in STEM-related fields

• Junior or Senior year students from 4-year colleges

• Community college and Tribal college students

• GPA of 2.75 and above

• U.S. Citizens, U.S. Nationals or Permanent Residents

We highly encourage women and underrepresented minorities, American Indian/Alaskan Native, African American/Non-Hispanic, and Hispanic/Hispanic American racial/ethnic groups to consider applying to the program

Application materials

• Online application form

• At most two letters of reference

• Transcript (unofficial copy is acceptable at the time of application)

Current COVID policy from the state of Michigan will apply