CLA professors awarded grant to expand convergence education
A team of Purdue professors including Sherylyn Briller (College of Liberal Arts), Jung Joo Sohn (College of Liberal Arts), Greg Strimel (PI, Purdue Polytechnic), Todd Kelley (Purdue Polytechnic), and Douglas Pruim (Daniels School of Business), has been awarded a $1,992,868 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to scale up an innovative approach to undergraduate education that prepares students to solve complex, real-world problems. This four-year project, funded through the NSF's Improving Undergraduate STEM Education (IUSE) program, will focus on expanding "convergence education."
Convergence education breaks down the traditional barriers between academic disciplines. It centers the learning experience on compelling, real-world problems while uniting students and instructors from fields such as liberal arts, engineering technology, and business. By blending their distinct knowledge, theories, and methods, the approach shifts the focus from disciplinary content to transdisciplinary education.
This research project will develop and share actionable models for implementing convergence education for broader institutional adoption. The project's goals are to bridge disciplinary silos, expand participation in STEM, and equip students with the collaborative and problem-solving skills essential for today's workforce. The research will produce guidance on the institutional, cultural, and pedagogical conditions necessary to scale and sustain these transformative educational practices, ultimately enhancing the value and relevance of higher education nationwide.