Educating Engineering Educators

I’m excited to announce that the Minnesota State Center for Engineering Excellence just sent out invitations for our first Engineering Teaching Workshop. In May of this year, 25 engineering and engineering technology instructors from Minnesota State Colleges and Universities and University of Minnesota System will attend a two-day workshop designed to help them improve their teaching skills. 

Why is this important? We’ve proven that getting middle and high school students excited about STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) careers can propel students into post-secondary engineering programs. Sustaining their interest and helping them complete 2- and 4-year programs remains more challenging.

When college educators improve their teaching skills, everyone benefits. Students learn more. Instructors find teaching more rewarding. College programs become more competitive and industry sees an increase in qualified candidates for difficult-to-fill positions.

This workshop — free for accepted applicants — will provide educators with an opportunity to improve their teaching and abilities through a broad overview and valuable hands-on practice.

It’s based on the nationally renowned Excellence in Civil Engineering Education (ExCEEd) Teaching Workshop sponsored by American Society of Civil Engineers. While it’s not an “official” ExCEEd event, it covers skills that will help engineering and technology educators with student retention and success, as well as increasing the workforce in STEM careers.

Program leaders will include, Dr. Ronald W. Welch, Dean of Citadel School of Engineering and Louis S. Le Tellier Chair, who since 1999 has served as a mentor, program developer and coordinator of ExCEEd; Dr. David Saftner, Department Head and Associate Professor of Civil Engineering at University of Minnesota, Duluth; and  Dr. Aaron Budge | Associate Dean of the College of Science, Engineering Technology at Minnesota State University, Mankato.

For dates, times and to apply for any remaining vacancies, click here.