2017-2018 EPICS High Memorandum of Understanding

Engineering Projects in Community Service at Arizona State University (EPICS High) is an engineering design, service-based learning, and social entrepreneurship program for high school and middle school students that incorporates the engineering and human-centered design processes in providing real solutions to real world problems facing society. To identify and address these problems, EPICS High teams typically work closely with their schools or not-for-profit agencies. ASU’s EPICS High program promotes an interdisciplinary approach, utilizing the creativity and expertise of students both already interested in STEM fields, as well as the skills of students outside of engineering, to develop and implement these solutions. In doing so, students not only provide a needed philanthropic service, they also hone their skills as engineers and entrepreneurs.

I. Participation Overview

A. Broad and multi-disciplinary participation

EPICS High partner schools draw from a diverse population of students. Participants engage in long-term, team-based design projects that solve real problems facing diverse communities. For this reason, EPICS High projects are by nature multi-disciplinary, relying on the expertise of students with diverse backgrounds and expertise. Successful projects will include students who can not only navigate technical constraints, but also meet interpersonal and project management demands of stakeholders.

B. Strong Partnerships

  1. EPICS High community partners, on and off campus, assist student teams in understanding stakeholder needs, work with the students throughout the development of their projects, and deploy successful projects in the community.
  2. Administration fosters the development of the EPICS high school program, and commits to sustaining it.
  3. Teachers commit to success through facilitation of EPICS High projects in their classrooms and through taking full advantage of the benefits of participation.
  4. Student participants commit to completing an EPICS High project that provides real value to those in their communities.
  5. ASU commits to providing a variety of resources, training, events, and customer support to teachers and participants. Partner schools receive:
  1. full access to online EPICS High curriculum
  2. free professional development opportunities for teachers
  3. EPICS High newsletters with information on upcoming events and other STEM-related opportunities
  4. exclusive invitations to participate in the EPICS High Olympiad field trip day, the EPICS High Pitch Funding Competition and the EPICS High Showcase
  5. opportunity to request an EPICS High mentor to guide participants as they develop their innovative solutions.

II. Become an EPICS High Partner School

By submitting this Memoranda of Understanding (MOU), your organization commits to a partnership with the EPICS High program at Arizona State University. This MOU outlines the

roles and responsibilities of your organization as well as those of the EPICS High program and staff.

A. EPICS High facilitators commit to:

  1. Complete surveys and reports requested from the EPICS High programs at ASU and Purdue University. These may include but are not limited to demographic surveys, team project information, and student learning outcomes.
  2. Encourage students to complete surveys and registration forms associated with participation in EPICS High events, competitions, and research studies.
  3. Accommodate site visits by a representative from the EPICS High Program, upon request.
  4. Attend the weeklong EPICS High Summer Teacher Training. At least one EPICS High facilitator from each partner school is expected to attend the summer workshop for the first two years in the program. Participation in additional scheduled trainings is highly encouraged.
  5. Incorporate the EPICS High name and/or logo in all materials related to recruitment for the EPICS High program and promotion of team projects via web, news articles, and any other circulated media.
  6. Facilitate use of the EPICS Design Process.
  7. Assist participants in sourcing projects, including identifying potential community partners.
  8. Support participants in seeking funding to support EPICS High projects.
  9. Maintain open and professional communication with EPICS High participants and program staff.

B. School Administrators commit to:

  1. If not already identified, recruit appropriate teacher(s) to serve as EPICS High facilitator(s) and encourage him or her to attend EPICS High training opportunities.
  2. Work with EPICS High facilitating teacher to develop a plan to sustain and institutionalize the program.
  3. Work with facilitating teacher to develop a budget to maintain a successful program each school year.
  4. Explore and optimize funding opportunities to support costs associated with the program, including but not limited to project materials, buses for events, and lodging and transportation to attend professional development.
  5. Promptly find an appropriate replacement if an EPICS High facilitator is unable to continue.
  6. Assist in the identification of potential community partners, on or off campus.
  7. Support participants through attendance at EPICS High events.

C. EPICS High commits to:

  1. Grant full access to online EPICS High curriculum for EPICS High facilitating teachers.
  2. Facilitate at least one week-long teacher training each summer.
  3. Provide timely communication regarding events, deadlines, resources, and funding opportunities via EPICS High newsletters, emails, meetings, and phone calls.
  4. Coordinate the following:
  5. EPICS High Olympiad field trip day – each Fall
  6. EPICS High Pitch Funding Competition – 3 times per year
  7. EPICS High Showcase – each Spring
  8. Recruit EPICS High mentors to guide participants as they develop their innovative solutions

III. School/District Information

______

Name of EPICS High Facilitating Teacher

______

Title/Postion

______

Phone Number

______

Email

______

Name of School/Institution:

______School Address

______

School District

School Demographic Information

Is your school designated a Title I School? ____Yes ____No

Grades levels of students participating in EPICS High:______

Estimated number of students participating:______

What percentage of participating students qualify for free and reduced lunch? ______

What percentage of participating students do you estimate are part of an ethnic minority? ______First generation college students? ______Females? ______

Approval Signatures

Our school/district agrees to this Memorandum of Understanding.

______

Name of Teacher

______

Signature of Teacher Date

______

Name of School Administrator

______

Title of School Administrator

______

Signature of School AdministratorDate