Dr. Karl A. Smith
Karl A. Smith is Emeritus Professor of Civil Engineering, Morse-Alumni Distinguished Teaching Professor, Executive Co-Director STEM Education Center, and Director of Graduate Studies Infrastructure Systems Management and Engineering, Technological Leadership Institute at the University of Minnesota. He is also Cooperative Learning Professor of Engineering Education, School of Engineering Education, at Purdue University. Karl has been actively involved in engineering education research and practice for over forty years and has worked with thousands of faculty all over the world on pedagogies of engagement, especially cooperative learning, problem-based learning, and constructive controversy. He is a Fellow of the American Society for Engineering Education and past Chair of the Educational Research and Methods Division. He served on the Committee on the Status, Contributions, and Future Directions of Discipline-Based Education Research that produced the National Research Council Report, Discipline-Based Education Research: Understanding and Improving Learning in Undergraduate Science and Engineering. He has written eight books including How to model it: Problem solving for the computer age; Cooperative learning: Increasing college faculty instructional productivity; Strategies for energizing large classes: From small groups to learning communities; and Teamwork and project management, 4th Ed.
Opportunities and Challenges in First-Year Engineering Programs
First Year Engineering Programs (FYEP’s) provide students with early exposure to engineering during their first year and develop initial understanding of engineering design and of career options. This luncheon session features Dr. Karl Smith, an international expert in engineering education, presenting insights and perspectives for design and operation of FYEP’s. Dr. Smith will address topics such as philosophy of FYEP, core curriculum requirements, role of faculty advising, role of mentoring and tutors, and required resources. The session will also discuss relationship of FYEP’s with core courses in math, chemistry, physics, computer programming and communication skills.