Summit 1: July 31 – August 1, 2017, Omaha, Nebraska. This first Summit was convened to evaluate whether there was a need for the ECL-USA, and to gauge overall interest in the effort. The Summit heard from Engineering Change Lab – Canada, conducted scenario planning exercises, discussed other efforts ongoing in the United States, identified several initiatives, and identified next steps. View the Summit 1 Report here.
Summit 2: February 5 – 6, 2018, Omaha, Nebraska. The objectives of Summit 2 were to explore the prospect of, and process for, moving the engineering profession toward fulfilling its highest potential in the emerging future; crystallize the intent of the ECL – USA and commit to using a social laboratory approach in taking on this work; recognize and make progress on focused initiatives begun at the first summit; organize ECL – USA, including structure, participation, communication protocols, and plans for future summits.
View the Summit 2 Report here.
Summit 3: June 12 – 13, 2018, Omaha, Nebraska. At Summit 3, the attendees explored the Vision Statement’s imperative for the engineering community to serve as stewards of technology, the built and natural environments, and public health, safety and welfare, and worked on a definition of stewardship. Additionally, time was spent on expanding our understanding of and commitment to the role that the ECL-USA can play, and how we could continue to evolve the ECL–USA as a social change lab. View the Summit 3 Report here.
Summit 4: October 25 – 26, 2018, Denver, Colorado. The primary goals of Summit 4 were to hear from provocateurs, to explore key concepts for the lab (Technological Change, Change in the Academy, and the Intersection of Technology and Nature); and to advance the work of the focused initiatives. View the Summit 4 Report here.
Summit 5: March 5 – 6, 2019, Kansas City, Kansas. This Summit focused on K-12 Education and Engineering, and Engineers and Public Policy. Thank you Blue Valley CAPS for a great meeting facility and for introducing us to an innovative program. View the Summit 5 Report.
Summit 6: July 15 & 16, 2019, Berkeley, California. Summit 6 was a joint effort of ECL-USA and ECL-Canada focusing on engineering ethics in a world of rapid technological change and engineering entrepreneurship. Summit 6 was held at the historic Berkeley City Club. View the Summit 6 reports on engineering ethics and entrepreneurship.
Summit 7: October 21 & 22, Boston, Massachusetts. Summit 7 continued the work of ECL-USA on technological driving forces that are transforming the way engineers do their work and also included a deep dive into the future of consulting engineering. View the Summit 7 report.
Summit 8: March 10 & 11, 2020, Houston, Texas. ECL-USA Summit 8 is scheduled for March 10 and 11, 2020 at the Texas Medical Center Innovation Center in Houston, Texas. The themes of Summit 8 will be exploration of the future of engineering through the lens of biomedical engineering and the stewardship role of engineers with respect to climate and extreme weather challenges, both of which are major issues for Houston and the Gulf Coast. Additional information on Summit 8 will be available soon.
Summit 9: July 29 – 31, 2020, Boulder, CO. ECL-USA Summit 9, the Engineering Ideas Institute, will be held from July 29 – July 31, 2020 at the Colorado Chautauqua in Boulder, CO. Summit 9 will be an extended discussion for industry thought leaders who want to deepen the inquiry about the future of engineering.