The Foster Family Center for Engineering Service Learning, established in 2005 by UC Merced, offers students practical experience through multidisciplinary projects with nonprofit community partners. Under the guidance of faculty mentors, students collaborate to develop innovative engineering solutions while strengthening their design, leadership, teamwork, and communication skills.
The program is conducted through the course ENGR 096: Human-Centered Research and Design. Students work in teams, mentored by faculty members, to design and implement solutions for projects submitted by community partners. Students develop technical and professional skills needed to solve real-world problems and make a meaningful impact in their communities. Partners receive practical solutions individually tailored to their needs, at no cost.
Thanks
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Foster Farms, founded in Modesto in 1939, is best known for their poultry products sold in local supermarkets all across California. In 2005, UC Merced received a pledge of $1.2 million from the Foster Family, of Foster Farms, to help boost the number of interactive engineering activities provided by UC Merced’s School of Engineering. Ultimately, this pledge helped fund The Foster Family Center for Engineering Service Learning. |
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Pacific Gas & Electric generously supported the creation of the PG&E Engineering Service Learning Laboratory, a mixed-use space located in the research building Science and Engineering 1. The lab is accessible to students 24/7 and provides workspaces for team meetings, mentor conferences, project development and much more. |
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