Andrew Kim ’23, mechanical engineering, has done a lot during his time at Bucknell. He has been part of the Society & Technology Residential College, a STEM Scholar, a Bucknell Outdoor Education & Leadership leader, president of the Bucknell University Makers Society, a residential advisor, a research assistant in the Civil Engineering Department and a student engineering consultant with the Bucknell Small Business Development Center (SBDC). But he credits the Grand Challenges Scholars Program (GCSP) for opening his eyes to the myriad possibilities within the College of Engineering.
Thanks to his involvement in GCSP, Kim studied abroad in France, presented at an engaging and inspiring conference in Arizona, will graduate with a robust professional-level portfolio and, most importantly, found his passion in marine robotics that has led to a job with General Dynamics in Connecticut.
“My experience at Bucknell would have been quite linear had GCSP not seeded the possibilities within engineering,” says Kim. “After learning about GCSP, I was looking through previous students’ portfolios and I was able to see the interconnectedness of how they got involved on campus. I knew I would be able to do the same without putting much stress on my academic curriculum. My trajectory became more exploratory.”
The Grand Challenges Scholars Program prepares students to make a difference in addressing the most pressing challenges facing society. Through purpose-driven learning experiences, students participate in activities that allow them to engage with all of the program’s five competencies: Talent/Research, Multidisciplinary, Viable Business/Entrepreneurship, Multicultural and Social Consciousness.
“The purpose of GCSP is to round out your experience and expose you to things you might not learn in class, like entrepreneurship or service learning,” says Kim.
Kim initially learned about GCSP via a Foundation Seminar linked with his Residential College. The course was taught by Prof. Keith Buffinton, and it was based on the National Academy of Engineering’s Grand Challenges. Students chose one grand challenge and developed solutions, culminating in a 20-minute presentation. Kim focused on the Restore and Improve Urban Infrastructure grand challenge. His enthusiasm impressed Buffinton, who invited him to join GCSP.
“It was an interesting course that showed me how I could apply my engineering skills,” says Kim. “I learned I didn’t need to work on cars or in HVAC. It gave me broader ideas.”
As he reflected, Kim’s grand challenge evolved. He is now focused on the Engineer the Tools of Scientific Discovery grand challenge.
“I changed my grand challenge because I want to work in marine robotics, which is an atypical mechanical engineering path,” says Kim. “I didn’t come to Bucknell knowing I wanted to pursue that, but I am an environmental studies minor and looking at what I can do as an engineer to solve global issues showed me this new option.”
Options abound for GCSP participants. Kim (far left in above photo) and classmates Sarah Frischmann ’23, environmental engineering, and Colton Jiorle ’25, electrical engineering and management for engineers, recently attended the GCSP Network Annual Meeting in Tempe, Arizona.
“Offering the chance to attend conferences is something Bucknell does a lot that I don’t think students utilize as much as they can or should,” notes Kim. “Attending the GCSP Meeting was a great experience and provided us the opportunity to meet students from universities from California to Maine. It gives you a different perspective on your college experience and allows you to talk about things that you might not on campus or in class.”
While in Arizona, Kim presented on his experience with Bucknell’s SBDC and how his skill in rapid prototyping, product development and design can influence the research and development department.
“At the SBDC, we first ask the client what they want,” says Kim. “We use design thinking where we follow a process to create something the client wants and can use to enhance their business vs. the research and development method that creates something and then tries to hand it off to someone who can use it.”
Kim noted that the GCSP conference made him feel like a 12-year-old at a science fair again.
“Many students had deep and strong connections to the grand challenges that they were pursuing,” says Kim. “A lot of them have relatives with health problems, and as a result decided to engineer better medicines. There were students doing things I didn’t even know were imaginable. They are making underwater robots and others getting their own patents for agricultural materials. Each of these students came from a different place, had a different background and had their own motivation for why they’re trying to solve engineering problems. Every single person was extremely passionate and motivated about their project.”
As his senior year winds down, Kim is now focusing on completing his GCSP portfolio to present to a panel in late April. He is also trying to help Bucknell’s GCSP co-directors Profs. Amal Kabalan and Jessica Newlin to grow the program.
“The conference showed us that Bucknell’s GCSP has room to grow,” says Kim. “Students need to realize it’s not an extra task. You can accomplish your goals by taking just one or two electives or participating in a small number of extracurricular activities. We learned how other schools use badging programs to help gamify it a bit. It’s important to celebrate the individual achievements rather than only at the conclusion.”
It’s easy to see why Kim wants to grow the program at Bucknell. It’s been a key part of his Bucknell Engineering experience.
“GCSP allowed me to pick and choose what I want to do in a career,” says Kim. “If you asked me even a couple of months ago if I’d be applying for a marine-related job, I wouldn’t have believed you. The motivation from GCSP to get involved outside of mechanical engineering and broaden my horizons gave me the confidence to apply to different organizations.”