Program Overview

Introduction to the Global Projects Program

The Global Projects Program at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) is celebrating 50 years of providing students with immersive, project-based learning experiences. Through this program, students conduct academic and research projects off-campus at over 50 WPI project centers on six continents for entire terms at a time.

Program Overview

• The program is a key element of WPI's project-based learning approach.
• Roughly 85% of students at WPI travel off-campus for a seven-week long immersive academic project at least once during their time at the university.
• Students can do these projects through the Global Projects Program, which has project centers on six continents.

The Interactive Qualifying Project (IQP)

• The IQP is a critical component of the Global Projects Program.
• It requires students to work in teams on a project that addresses a challenge at the intersection of science, technology, and societal needs.
• Students typically complete the IQP in their junior year, often off-campus at one of WPI's project centers.

Project Center Directors

• Project center directors play a crucial role in making these experiences possible.
• They help find project sponsors or partners, work with them to develop specific projects, maintain relationships with project partners, and coordinate housing and cultural activities for students.
• Directors also prepare students for the project and guide faculty advisors.

The Melbourne, Australia Project Center

• The Melbourne Project Center is dedicated to the IQP and has been in operation since 1998.
• Students working on projects in Melbourne have collaborated with over 50 sponsors or partner organizations on more than 270 projects.
• Projects have focused on various themes, including education, fire risk, social services, and environmental protection.

Student Experience and Learning Outcomes

• Students benefit from having an off-campus IQP because it provides an immersive experience where they engage with community members and learn about local contexts.
• The program helps students develop important skills, including teamwork, communication, and project management.
• Students also gain confidence in their abilities and develop a deeper understanding of the problems they are trying to solve.

Partnerships and Network Building

• Project partners appreciate the fresh perspective and new ideas that WPI students bring to their organizations.
• The program helps build networks and facilitates connections between organizations and communities.
• Partners have reported that working with WPI students has helped them develop new solutions and approaches to the challenges they face.

Preparing Students for Project Work

• WPI prepares students for their project work through a preparation course that covers social science methodologies, research design, and project management.
• Students also have access to the Global Lab, which provides technical training and consultation on multimedia storytelling and design.

Long-Lasting Impacts

• Students care deeply about the impact of their work and want to know that their projects are making a difference.
• Many project partners stay in touch with students after the project is completed and provide updates on how the work is being used.
• The program helps students see the continuity of knowledge building and how their work contributes to a larger body of research and practice.

What Makes the Global Projects Program Unique

• The program provides an opportunity for students to work on authentic projects that contribute to a partner's goals.
• WPI has developed a model for project-based learning that prepares students for the challenges of working on real-world problems.
• The program's focus on immersion and complete engagement with communities and organizations sets it apart from other project-based learning initiatives.