Tim and Steve talk with Dr. Enze Chen, a Lecturer in Materials Science and Engineering at Stanford University. We talk about Enze's unique approach to teaching, his computational modules and materials informatics. We touch on topics such as teaching Gen Z students, generative AI, and visualization in materials education. Dr. Chen even talks about his sketching course for MS&E students. You can learn more about Enze and peruse some extra resources at his website:
https://enze-chen.github.io/

The materials informatics curriculum is further discussed here:
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.jchemed.2c00640

You can find the YouTube video here:
https://youtu.be/WGJ-n8dy-xk

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).

In this episode, Steve and Tim reflect on their recent teaching experiences, focusing on Tim's new math course and Steve's grading for growth experiment. They discuss the positive feedback from students, the structure of the math course, and the challenges of integrating AI tools in education. Additionally, they explore innovative grading methods that emphasize student engagement and learning retention, highlighting the importance of feedback and reassessment without penalty. In this conversation, Steve discusses his approaches to enhancing student accountability, revising grading practices, and implementing final exams to ensure true assessment of student learning. He also addresses the challenges posed by academic dishonesty in the age of digital tools like ChatGPT and reflects on the importance of teaching students to use such tools responsibly. The conversation concludes with thoughts on future improvements in teaching methods and grading systems.

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

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).

Steve and Tim talk with Dr. Ellen Solomon, one of the program managers of the Multidisciplinary Design Program (MDP) at the University of Michigan. Ellen graduated with an MS&E degree from Michigan and worked in industry before coming back to Michigan to run the research program side of MDP. She talked to us about this very unique program that incorporates not only research projects, but projects from industry as well.

About Ellen: https://mdp.engin.umich.edu/staff/ellen-solomon/
UM MDP: https://mdp.engin.umich.edu
UM MDP research projects for 2025: https://mdp.engin.umich.edu/all-projects/?_project_type=research_teams
UM MDP industry projects for 2025: https://mdp.engin.umich.edu/all-projects/?_project_type=sponsor_teams

There are still openings to join MDP industry teams in 2025! Axalta, PPG, and Donaldson are recruiting MSE students to join these projects. Please reach out to jjcarl@umich.edu with your interest and submit an application to the waitlist

You can find the YouTube video here:
https://youtu.be/8YfPRyAVsoQ

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).

Steve and Tim talk with Professor Tresa Pollock from UC Santa Barbara, the 2024 Van Vlack Lecturer in the MS&E department at U. Michigan. Tresa has had a very long and distinguished career in Materials Science and Engineering and has mentored many many graduate students. We had a discussion about graduate student mentoring amongst other things. You can find her website here:
https://materials.ucsb.edu/people/faculty/tresa-pollock

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

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).

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).

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).

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).

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).