Outreach & Service

Engineering in Service to Society

Duke Engineering is dedicated to building purposeful partnerships to solve complex societal challenges—locally and globally. We share research discoveries, design solutions to community needs, and inspire the next generation of problem-solvers and innovators.

By the Numbers

100+

community events led each year by Duke Engineering

2,000+

K-12 students engaged in STEM programs each year

~11,000

DukeEngage service hours volunteered each year by engineering students

>50%

of Duke Engineering students volunteer in the US, and 25% abroad

25%

of Duke Engineering students participate in service-learning courses

Explore Our Outreach

NSF Summer Research Experience for Teachers

K-12 and community college teachers spend five summer weeks working in microbiome science and engineering labs and developing lesson plans

Outreach Design Education @ Duke

Through hands-on opportunities, K-12 students learn basic engineering skills and then use them to identify problems and design solutions.

Interactive Lab Tours: Nanotechnology & Imaging

Duke’s state-of-the-science nanotech lab invites K-12 teachers and students to see an electron microscope in action or suit up for a visit to the cleanroom.

Duke Summer STEM Academy

A three-week summer program for high school students to establish a tech talent pipeline for the Research Triangle Region.

Entrepreneurial Training For Durham Youth

Partnership with Durham Success Summit teaching innovation skills as part of a 12-week mentorship experience for young Black men.

Public Policy Fellowships for Engineers

Candidates for PhDs in engineering receive tuition and stipends to support internships with public policy or nonprofit organizations.

Duke Design Health Fellows

Assembles teams from across engineering, business and medicine at Duke to create solutions to unmet needs in health care.

Devices for People With Disabilities

Taught by an instructor recognized by Duke for service-learning innovation, students create custom assistive devices for individuals.

Duke Research in Engineering Program

A seven-week summer experience for Durham Public Schools juniors and seniors interested in engineering and science.

Project Tadpole

Student members modify and fix toys for physically challenged children.

Duke Smart Home

A live-in laboratory and community demonstration project of energy efficiency and sustainable technology.

Certificate in Global Development Engineering

Students study culture and ethics before completing a hands-on engineering project.

Bull City Classrooms

Connecting volunteers with public schools in Durham, NC. Founded by engineering PhD student Anish Simhal.

Duke Engineers for International Development

Partnering with communities to engineer solutions that improve living standards.

eNable

Using 3D printing technology, students create adaptive devices for amputees.

Engineering Graduate Student Community Service

Student leaders organize service opportunities with community partners.

DukeEngage

Students address human needs through a summer of service in the U.S. and abroad.

Duke Blueprint

A student-led conference that develops actionable ideas to address critical environmental challenges.

Girl Scouts STEM Day @ Duke

An annual event demonstrating STEM career possibilities through a day of hands-on fun for more than 140 middle schoolers and high schoolers.

Global Women’s Health Technologies

Creating solutions to address challenges in women’s health, and inspire the next generation of health leaders.

HackDuke

An annual 24-hour coding sprint focused on solutions to societal challenges.

Females Excelling More in Math, Engineering, and Science

FEMMES is student-led, with a mission to engage young girls in STEM fields through hands-on activities and mentorship.

Engineering World Health

The Duke EWH chapter has built a close relationship with a hospital in Xela, Guatemala.

Reinventing the Toilet

Duke is home to two efforts funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation aiming to improve the health of billions.

Nanotechnology-themed lesson plans for K-12

Provided to educators free of charge through Duke’s membership in the Research Triangle Nanotechnology Network.

NC Polyfluorinated Alkyl Substance Testing Network

Detecting contaminants in drinking water, with partners UNC-Chapel Hill and state government.

Hands-On Experiences: Lasers, Lenses & Light

Our Fitzpatrick Institute of Photonics and Duke Optical Student Club provide lab tours and science demonstrations to middle school students.

Triangle Women in STEM

Promoting inclusion in STEM, with partner tech firms, NC State University, UNC-Chapel Hill and Campbell University.

First-Year Design: Community Clients

Students design solutions for needs expressed by community organizations working in education, health care, the environment, and more.

Our Latest Outreach & Service Stories

10/10Pratt School of Engineering

STEM has Style

STEM educators and fashion entrepreneurs team up to change perceptions of computing and engineering through ‘TechArts and Crafts’ workshops

Interested in Learning More About Community-Based Innovation?

Contact Adrienne Stiff-Roberts, Associate Dean for Community-Based Innovation