Spring 2022 marks the seventh iteration of PUBAFRS 5620: Rapid Innovation for Public Impact.
In this course, students tackle real-world challenges from sponsors in government agencies, non-profits, and for-profit companies. Student-teams will spend the semester learning about their challenges and create possible solutions through interviews with stakeholders and subject matter experts.
With 30 students spanning 7 teams, our Spring 2022 course is the largest we have ever run.
This is our first semester including Ph.D. students from the EmPOWERment program to help lead teams in sustainable energy specific challenges. Students are taking on complex challenges including combatting misinformation in the industry, preparing for electricity demand due to climate change and increased electric vehicle use, and creating an efficient recycling system for propane cannisters.
We also have partnered with The Ohio State University’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion to sponsor a challenge for students to increase access to childcare for parenting-students.
On Friday, January 14th, students got the chance to meet with their sponsors, mentors, and advisors for their project and learn more about what they will be working on throughout the semester. Students learned about each other and found themselves a starting point for their journey towards a solution by the end of the semester.
Over the next few weeks, students will start on their initial interview lists that were provided by their sponsors. Their goal will be to better understand the effects of the challenges they are working on including the people most pained by the current challenge.
This course is a great opportunity for students to practice professional skills, expand their professional network, and add to their résumé! Learn more about this course as well as the Science and Engineering in the Public Interest Minor this it counts towards at the link below!
