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Session Description

Free ticketed event
There is widespread concern that academic programs have become less demanding, resulting in graduates who lack the intellectual skills needed to thrive in their careers and as lifelong learners. The narrative about rigor has focused on workload demands, standards, and expectations. In contrast,a definition of rigor states that it is an “academic challenge that supports learning and growth in students” and includes “deep, inquiry- and equity-based learning that sufficiently challenges and encourages all students to achieve their full potential, including both academic and broader development.”
This session will:
• Enhance awareness of alternate notions of rigor with the potential of creating more equitable learning environments
• Demonstrate effective examples of alternate assessments fostering creativity and growth, supporting diverse learners while assessing the necessary competencies
• Provide participants with the opportunity to consider their own assessments with alternate notions of rigor.

Speakers

1. Dr. Julie Drzymalski

   Western New England University

   Julie Drzymalski is a professor of Instruction and Director of the Industrial and Systems Engineering program. Her teaching interests lie in the areas of operations research and system modeling. Current research pursuits are in the application of complex adaptive systems modeling to areas such as supply chains and human centered systems. Previously held positions include various quality engineering, project and program management positions in the construction industries of the greater Philadelphia and New York City areas. she is a fellow of the American society of Engineering Management, a Governor of the Order of the Engineer, and an active member of the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers.

2. Dr. Ruth Ochia P.E.

   Temple University

   Dr. Ruth Ochia is a Professor of Instruction in Bioengineering at Temple University. Dr. Ochia’s area of expertise involves the biomechanics of human injury, with special emphasis on the areas of spine trauma and degeneration, and occupant kinematics in automobile collisions. Dr. Ochia has also performed research in degenerative disc disease and low back pain. She has extensive experience in bioengineering, primarily focusing on spine-related injuries and degeneration. Her skills include in vitro biomechanical testing in human and animal specimens, in vivo imaging, and analysis in humans and project management of large-scale government research grants.

   Her current interests are in engineering education and curricular assessment with specific focus on innovation and entrepreneurship in engineering design teams, as well as, student engagement and motivation at the undergraduate level. This new research area has resulted in several publications, grant funding, and invited conference talks.

3. Cory Budischak

   Temple University

   Cory is a teacher and researcher who strives to reduce the harmful effects of energy production and use. Teaching has always been his central passion. He started as a group tutor in college, which led him to his full time career as an Associate Professor of Instruction at Temple University in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. He has also taught a course "Electric Vehicles and the Grid" at the University of Delaware. He employs innovative instructional methods such as problem based learning, flipping the classroom, and teaching through interactive games. He finds it rewarding to reach students with these methods who may not have been reached by traditional lectures. His research focuses on the transition to 100% renewable energy and effective engineering instruction/support using problem based learning, flipped classroom approaches, design thinking, and co-curricular supports such as mentoring. His main research focuses on two research questions: 1) What would our energy system look like if we make the shift towards 100% renewable energy and how much would the system cost? The research focuses not on a single energy system (electricity, transportation, agriculture), but the interaction among systems and taking a systems thinking approach. 2) How can learning and educational outcomes be improved with innovative instruction and co-curricular supports? His research has appeared in Discovery News, The Huffington Post, Scientific American, and Rolling Stone Magazine. His outreach to the community has been featured in many local publications. He has presented his work all over the country including on the TEDx stage. He has done consulting work, including for the Chief Investment Officer of JPMorgan Chase, Michael Cembalest.Cory received his Doctorate in Electrical Engineering from the University of Delaware. He spent 8 years at Delaware Technical and Community College in the Energy Management Department as an Instructor and Department chair before transitioning to his current role at Temple University.When Cory is not educating or researching, he enjoys backpacking, yoga, volleyball, and hiking with his family.

4. Eve Walters

   Dr. Eve Walters is an Associate Professor of Instruction in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Temple University. Her recent research has dealt with evaluating the impacts of combined sewer overflows on river water quality, as well as the role that particulate matter plays in the fate and transport of microbial pollution. She is additionally interested in biofilms found both in engineered and natural systems and the utilization of tools such as confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and microelectrodes to investigate these ubiquitous coatings.