Davidson's EPIC program  moved forward in curriculum last year with several exciting new projects that carry into the 2010-2011 year.  First, we are in the 5th year of a local initiative sponsored by the Mobile Area Education Foundation, Engaging Youth in Engineering, or EYE.  This pilot seeks to develop a k-12 strand to teach technical skills for the purpose of preparing students for engineering related fields.  As part of the project, we are offering an EPIC science elective, "Engineering the Future," which is based on a curriculum written at the Boston Museum of Science for the state of Massachusetts.  In 2010-11, all EPIC freshmen, major and minor, will take theis ETF class during the new 5th period/Half block enrichment time.

Davidson was selected to join the Alabama Engineering Academy Initiative, a statewide network of engineering schools.  In that project, we are sponsored by the College of Engineering at the University of South Alabama.  This project is allowing us to realize our goal of having an engineering lab at Davidson! Through a state grant, the help of USA College of Engineering, and parent donations, our lab is now in operation. 

We completed the first two phases of the Engineering Lab with the installation of professional, industry-standard hardware and software to support the fluid dynamics tank and equipment for labs. Our students will now be able to conduct fluid flow experiments and will be able to use the same software that professional engineering firms use to electronically collect and analyze data and model varying results.  Thanks to one of our Partners in Education, Mr. Ashley Walters, for his help in selecting the software and getting our faculty trained to use it for fluid labs. 

The new 5th period/half block enrichment class time will allow our EPIC Major students to complete a 3-phase engineering curriculum: 9th grade: ETF; 10th grade:  Infinity (electronics0; 11 grade:  Fluid Dynamics; 12th grade: AP Calculus/Physics.  EPIC Minor students can use the half block time to take additional science or other EPIC approved electives.

 A total of over 200 Davidson students now participate in either the EPIC "Major" or "Minor."  Read about our engineering elective, Infinity, by visiting www.infinity-project.org.  Entering Freshmen interested in enrolling in the EPIC program should contact a Davidson counselor.