American Electric Power's Project Probe-enhancing power engineering education through industrial-academic cooperation

Project Probe is an annual summer intern program offered by American Electric Power (AEP) to provide qualified engineering students a meaningful educational experience in power generation and utility operation. The program fosters communication and cooperation between academia and the power industry, enhances the education of future engineers, and supports engineering faculty while it enlightens students and faculty about the power industry. During the program, teams of junior and senior students from various engineering disciplines perform wide-ranging project work at a host plant under the supervision of engineering faculty and plant personnel. Lectures and field trips supplement the work experience. This paper presents the objectives, methodology, and results of Project Probe 1996 including student development, faculty enrichment, benefits to the host plant, and benefits (both tangible and anticipated) to American Electric Power. Project Probe is shown to offer advantages over traditional student intern or cooperative educational programs. Recommendations include potential improvements to Project Probe and information to encourage other industries to sponsor similar programs