The Choices and Challenges Project at Virginia Tech was established in 1985 as part of the Humanities, Science and Technology concentration and represents a unique, ongoing effort to encourage the humanistic components of science and technology to be identified and addressed — and to engage public audiences as key participants in this process. Today, the project is located in the Center for Interdisciplinary Studies, and works closely with the graduate students at the Center for Science & Technology Studies.

In Spring 2001, the Choices and Challenges Project received a grant from Virginia Tech's Center for Innovation in Learning to develop module-based learning activities as a resource for students and instructors of classes in Humanities, Science, and Technology (HST).

The central element of each module is material from our archival video collection, recorded at each of the twenty forums occurring since 1985. These recordings feature eminent philosophers, scientists, historians, sociologists, and policy analysts examining social and ethical aspects of advances in science and technology. The first five modules under development include:

• Reinventing the Human: The Six Million Dollar Body (2000)
• Reinventing the Human: Designer Children (1999)
• Quality of Life in the Global Environment (1996-1997)
• Quality of Life in the Electronic Village (1995)
• Quality of Life: At the End of Life (1994)

As part of our commitment to public outreach, all materials developed for these modules are available through this website for use by individuals, community groups, classroom instructors, and others. In the future, we plan to develop three additional sections of the website: materials linked to VTalumnNET, the virtual gateway to lifelong learning for Virginia Tech alumni; a continuing education component; and curriculum materials targets at the K-12 classroom.

To learn more about the Choices and Challenges Project, please explore our website or access this short video introduction to our forum series in real media format. (Transcript)

To download the latest version of Real Player Software, please click here.
To download the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader, please click here.

We hope you find this website a valuable resource.

Please contact the module designer to let us know what we can add to the website to maximize its value for you and your community.

Sincerely,

The Choices and Challenges Project Staff

Choices and Challenges Project
Center for Interdisciplinary Studies
Virgina Tech, Mail Code: 0227
Blacksburg, Virginia 24061
Phone: 540 231-6476 Fax: 540 231-7013
Email: choices@vt.edu