Dissemination and Adaptation of the EPICS (Engineering Projects in Community Service) Model

The EPICS Program was created in 1995 with the dual purposes of improving engineering education and addressing compelling needs within our communities. The model broke with many traditional academic traditions, involving students in multidisciplinary teams of students from first-year to fourth years for multiple semesters or even years on projects with local and global community partners. EPICS has been recognized as a model within engineering education and community engagement. The EPICS model has been adapted by several other institutions at the undergraduate and pre-university settings. There are currently 38 active higher education institutions with each adapting the model to their own institutional culture. This paper highlights the EPICS model and how four institutions that are recognized global leaders in engineering education have collaborated and adapted the model to their own institution's goals and culture.