Episodes

  • Tershia Pinder-Grover and CRLT Engineering: How teaching centers help faculty and students improve learning
    Sep 22 2024

    Steve and Tim talk with Dr. Tershia Pinder-Grover, the director of the Center for Research on Learning and Teaching in Engineering (CRLT-Engin) in the College of Engineering at the University of Michigan. This year marks the 20th anniversary of CRLT-Engin, a focused teaching center where the consultants all have degrees in engineering as well as engineering education. CRLT of University of Michigan is the first University teaching center in the nation.

    CRLT Engin: https://crlte.engin.umich.edu/
    CRLT UM: https://crlt.umich.edu/

    You can find the YouTube video here:
    https://youtu.be/ut1tDdGSVYI?si=ombDy8tPVPznUppZ

    This episode is sponsored by the North American Materials Education Symposium (https://java.engin.umich.edu/NAMES24/) a gift from Prof. Ron Gibala, and the University of Michigan Materials Science and Engineering department (https://mse.engin.umich.edu).

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    51 mins
  • Tim's new math course for Materials Science and Engineering students
    Sep 8 2024

    Steve talks to Tim about his new math course. He explains how it is going, what is challenging, and what is better than expected. He also discusses his grading, student input, and other aspects of this new course.

    You can find the YouTube video here:
    https://youtu.be/3AUgS8cGLhE

    This episode is sponsored by the North American Materials Education Symposium (https://java.engin.umich.edu/NAMES24/) and the University of Michigan Materials Science and Engineering department (https://mse.engin.umich.edu).

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    24 mins
  • Micah Gendich - MSE Student Association President
    Sep 3 2024

    Tim talks with Micah Gendich, the University of Michigan MSE student association president. UM has an organization called the Michigan Materials Society (MMS) that is run by undergraduate students with a little help from the graduate students. They organize weekly luncheons, social events, and also professional development events. They also engage with outreach and recruiting activities for our department.

    You can find the YouTube video here:
    https://youtu.be/X-SCX86XVjE

    This episode is sponsored by the North American Materials Education Symposium (https://java.engin.umich.edu/NAMES24/) and the University of Michigan Materials Science and Engineering department (https://mse.engin.umich.edu).

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    36 mins
  • Getting Ready for Classes - starting a new class and making major changes to an old one
    Aug 20 2024

    Tim and Steve talk about how they are getting ready for classes - which start next week!
    Tim is creating a completely new class that has never been taught before - Math for MS&E students at the second year undergraduate level.
    Steve is making some major changes in his team based intro to materials course by adding in components of Grading for Growth methods.

    some links:
    Get the book Grading for Growth:
    https://www.amazon.com/Grading-Growth-Alternative-Practices-Engagement/dp/1642673811

    You can find the YouTube video here:
    https://youtu.be/zTsrnLmKUb4

    This episode is sponsored by the North American Materials Education Symposium (https://java.engin.umich.edu/NAMES24/) and the University of Michigan Materials Science and Engineering department (https://mse.engin.umich.edu).

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    1 hr
  • Cindy Anderson and Engineering for One Planet
    Aug 11 2024

    Cindy talks with Tim and Steve about Engineering for One Planet and how she worked with the Lemelson Foundation to launch it.

    You can find the information talked about in the podcast here:
    https://engineeringforoneplanet.org/resources/

    https://engineeringforoneplanet.org

    You can find the YouTube video here:
    https://youtu.be/CzjC52iytcQ

    This episode is sponsored by the University of Michigan Materials Science and Engineering department (https://mse.engin.umich.edu).

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    1 hr and 3 mins
  • Marcus Collins: Marketing Materials Science and Engineering
    Aug 7 2024

    Summary

    In this conversation, Steve, Tim and Marcus discuss the challenges of attracting students to material science and engineering (MSE) programs. They explore the concept of jobs to be done, which includes the functional, emotional, and social aspects of a product or service. Marcus suggests that MSE programs should focus on the emotional and social jobs that potential students want to fulfill, such as their interests in fashion, sneakers, and tangible experiences. They also discuss the importance of conducting netnography to understand the cultural context and language of potential students. By engaging with influencers and communities in relevant subcultures, MSE programs can better communicate their value and attract students. In this conversation, Marcus Collins discusses how to analyze Reddit subcultures and apply those insights to marketing strategies. He explains the process of observing and translating conversations in subreddits to identify common themes and insights. Collins also emphasizes the importance of understanding the language, behaviors, and cultural production of a subculture to effectively engage with them. The conversation then shifts to the topic of education and how instructors can approach teaching from a psychological and cognitive science perspective. Collins suggests creating a classroom environment that allows students to bring their full identities and interests into the learning process. The conversation concludes with a discussion on bridging the gap between art and engineering and the potential for interdisciplinary courses that combine marketing and material science.

    Takeaways

    MSE programs should focus on fulfilling the emotional and social jobs that potential students want to achieve.
    Understanding the cultural context and language of potential students is crucial for effective communication.
    Engaging with influencers and communities in relevant subcultures can help MSE programs attract students.
    Netnography, or online ethnography, can provide valuable insights into the interests and preferences of potential students. Analyzing Reddit subcultures can provide valuable insights for marketing strategies.
    Observing and translating conversations in subreddits can help identify common themes and insights.
    Understanding the language, behaviors, and cultural production of a subculture is crucial for effective engagement.
    Creating a classroom environment that allows students to bring their full identities and interests can enhance the learning experience.
    Bridging the gap between art and engineering can lead to innovative and interdisciplinary approaches in education.

    Links:
    You can find the YouTube video here:
    https://youtu.be/cVey7AJydfs

    You can buy Marcus's book: "For the Culture"
    Here: https://www.amazon.com/Culture-Power-Behind-What-Want/dp/1541700961?source=ps-sl-shoppingads-lpcontext&ref_=fplfs&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

    You can learn more about Marcus here:
    https://michiganross.umich.edu/faculty-research/faculty/marcus-collins
    and here:
    https://www.marctothec.com/

    You can find out more about the North American Materials Education Symposium this coming summer in Ann Arbor here:
    https://java.engin.umich.edu/NAMES24/

    This episode is sponsored by the University of Michigan Materials Science and Engineering department (https://mse.engin.umich.edu).

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    1 hr and 4 mins
  • Season 2: New guests, new segments
    Aug 5 2024

    Steve and Tim talk about the new season for the 2024-2025 academic year. They plan to continue having great guests and add some curricular topics. Please help us with our show! Head over to this link and give us some feedback, suggest guests, suggest topics, suggest yourself!

    Feedback form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScmi5go4JEjI2msncKTtXznqVv2RQm9a_vsdCr5Bu9wTCHsbQ/viewform?usp=pp_url

    We thank the University of Michigan Materials Science and Engineering department (https://mse.engin.umich.edu) for their continuing support!

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    7 mins
  • Gerard Mourou - A Nobel Prize Laureate talks about undergraduate research
    Jun 16 2024

    Gerard Mourou was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2018 along with his former student Donna Strickland. The Nobel Prize was for developing chirped pulse amplification of femtosecond laser intensity. This led to many important applications including the all laser Lasik eye surgery, a new method to reduce space junk by using coherently combined femtosecond pulses in space, astrophysics research, particle generation and acceleration, and many new advances in radiation therapy and other medical applications. Ever since his first professorial position at the University of Rochester, he has had undergrads working for him in his lab. He talks about these early experiences and how amazing these students were. He also talks about the value of the NSF Research Experience for Undergraduate (REU) programs such as the one he inspired that sends students to Paris to work on ultrafast optical science - Optics in the City of Light.

    You can find the YouTube video here:
    https://youtu.be/6hE3zZ3Waeg

    You can find out more about the North American Materials Education Symposium this coming summer in Ann Arbor here:
    https://java.engin.umich.edu/NAMES24/

    This episode is sponsored by the University of Michigan Materials Science and Engineering department (https://mse.engin.umich.edu).

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    44 mins