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AAC-RERC Training Project T2
www.aac-rerc.com

Graduate Engineering Education and Student Research Training in AAC

Lead Institutions:

Duke University, Pennsylvania State University,
Temple University, State University of New York at Buffalo,
University of Nebraska-Lincoln, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
PURPOSE
The objective of this training initiative is to provide a model that creates interest and opportunities to educate and train students through support of formal graduate engineering education/student research experiences. These experiences must provide students with insight into careers in working with persons with significant communication disorders.
TARGET POPULATION
Engineering students
PROBLEM
Despite the diversity of engineering programs and opportunities at each of the AAC-RERC sites, there is a need to increase qualified rehabilitation engineering professionals in AAC to ensure the strength and quality of future rehabilitation engineers, researchers, and faculty. Students in the engineering related disciplines have minimal experience with major research initiatives as few opportunities exist.
PROGRESS

Only one of the AAC-RERC partner sites had an affiliation with an engineering program when funding was initiated. Today, all six sites have some form of affiliation that includes courses, student design projects and research related to AAC/AT.

In 2001, one of the Duke biomedical engineering student design projects was selected as a RESNA Student Design Competition Winner. Four others were accepted for presentation at the annual conference. Seven students attended the 2001 RESNA Annual Conference.

In 2002, Duke staff assisted with soliciting and supervising 12 biomedical engineering student design projects (8 at Duke and 4 at UNC-Chapel Hill). Six of the eight Duke projects were submitted for presentation at the RESNA Student Design Competition at the RESNA 2002 Annual Conference. One of the projects was selected as a 2002 RESNA Student Design Competition Winner, while five others were accepted for presentation at the annual conference. A total of 10 Duke and UNC students will attend the 2002 Annual Conference.
PARTNERS

(the links below will open in a new window)
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Kevin Caves, BSME: kevin.caves@duke.edu
Frank DeRuyter, Ph.D.: fdr-rerc@mc.duke.edu
Laurence Bohs, Ph.D.: larry.bohs@duke.edu