1. WHY Grand Challenges? Exponential Technology
Era of Constant Accelerations*
*Friedman (2016)

2. Exponential technology
Addresses increasing complexity
Allows tackling Grand-Challenge-like
problems
Enables the convergence of disciplines
But powerful technology also brings powerful unintended consequences (ethics)

3. NAE Grand Challenges (2008)
SUSTAINABILITY
Make Solar Energy Economical, Provide Energy from Fusion, Develop Carbon Sequestration Methods, Manage the Nitrogen Cycle, Provide Access to Clean Water
SECURITY
Secure Cyberspace, Prevent Nuclear Terror, Restore and Improve Urban Infrastructure
HEALTH
Engineer Better Medicines, Advance Health Informatics, Reverse Engineer the Brain
ENRICHING LIFE
Enhance Virtual Reality, Advance Personalized Learning, Engineer the Tools of Scientific Discovery
Maslowe’s Hierarchy of Needs
SOCIETAL ORGANIZATION?
Social Phenomena (Through cyberphysical and data science)

4. WHY Engineering? Enabling Discipline of Our Times
Human Nature does not Change
Exponentially Fast!

5. Individual and family well-being Stronger social fabric
The Grand Challenges for Social Work (2016)
Individual and family well-being
Ensure healthy development for all youth
Close the health gap
Stop family violence
Advance long and productive lives
Stronger social fabric
Eradicate social isolation
End homelessness
Create social responses to a changing environment
Harness technology for social good
Just society
Promote smart decarceration
Build financial capability for all
Reduce extreme economic inequality
Achieve equal opportunity and justice
2018 GCSP Annual Meeting
October 30, 2018

7. Why grand challenges scholars program?
Preparing and Inspiring Talent to Solve Grand Challenge-Like Problems.
Requires New Mindsets.

8. . . Adding Mindsets to Skills and Knoweldge Mindset of Growth To Here
From Here
Knowledge
Skills
From Ortiz et al. (2017)

9. Exponential technology
Changing the Culture from Fixed to Growth Mindsets:
The essence of the GCSP
Mindset of Growth
Fixed Mindset

10. NAE GRAND CHALLENGES SCHOLARS PROGRAM CULTIVATES FIVE COMPETENCIESTS
Conceived in 2009 (USC, Duke, Olin)
CULTIVATES FIVE COMPETENCIESTS
1. Research/creative
2. Multidisciplinary
3. Entrepreneurial
4. Cultural
5. Society conscious
2009

11. NAE GRAND CHALLENGES SCHOLARS PROGRAM CULTIVATES FIVE MINDSETS
Conceived in 2009 (USC, Duke, Olin):
Adopted by > 100 schools: Supported by the NAE
CULTIVATES FIVE MINDSETS
1. Research/creative
2. Multidisciplinary
3. Entrepreneurial
4. Cultural
5. Society conscious
2009
2016
Consistent with WEF report on added attributes for the 21st century: Creativity, Leadership, Perseverance
Consistent with the Engineer of 2020

12. The five mindsets (competencies) of the GCSP (2009): Changing the conversation
Re-new and
Re-assess

13. USC Nae Grand Challenges Scholars Class of 2018 Brilliant and diverse
Year
# of Students

14. Exponential technology
Changing the Culture from Fixed to Growth Mindsets
Mindset of Growth
The challenge to change culture:
“Culture wants to be enduring and
prevailing”
Damasio (2018)
Convergence
Fixed Mindset
Culture B
Culture A