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Session Description

Free ticketed event
This workshop is designed to use various active learning techniques to introduce faculty, advisors, and administrators to Martin Seligman’s model of positive psychology, provide them tools with which they can begin the discussion, and give them practice using the tools.
Seligman and others have identified five (5) things that aid in success, Positive Emotions, Engagement, Positive Relationships, Meaning, and Achievement (PERMA). These are all attributes that we can introduce in meaningful ways in an engineering class, that aids students in developing tools for success, and provides a distinct boundary where tools are provided, but we do not have to be counselors. Students can be directed to protect their mental wellness, provided tools to support themselves, and then shown how to find resources if they need further help.

Format:
This will be an interactive session where we will talk about the PERMA model for success, determine best practices for introducing PERMA topics in the classroom, and practice using interactive tools to help students engage with each of the five (5) PERMA components.

Learning Goals:
The learning goals for this workshop are:
1. Introduce and discuss Martin Seligman’s PERMA model of positive psychology
2. Develop a language for talking about student mental wellness that is individual, engaging, and value centered.
3. Practice with tools to engage students in raising their awareness of their mental wellness.
4. Identify areas in the curriculum where tools can be included for student use and discussion.

Schedule/Content/Activities - Tentative Schedule for workshop:

10 minutes--settling in and introductions
“How are you feeling” activity
Engaging Question
Introduction of the presenter

10 minutes--Introduction to the PERMA model
Quick overview of Seligman’s work
Some information about successful implementation in seminars as “The Science of Happiness”

40 minutes—Positive Emotions
What are positive emotions
Why are they important
Tools for creating positive emotions in the classroom
Practice with positive affect

5 minute--stretch break and check-in

45 minutes—Engagement
Identifying core values--activity
Engaging with our content
How some of our presentations can create disconnection because of stereotype threat
Tools for addressing stereotype threat and growth mindset to regain the engagement
Practice with talking about stereotype threat and growth mindset

10 minutes—stretch break and check-in

30 minutes—Positive Relationships
Defining positive relationships
The value of good communication
Tools for practicing communication
Practice good communication-role playing

30 minutes—Meaning
Defining meaning and purpose
Helping students identify their meaning
Tools for helping students identify their purpose
Find your why--activity

5 minutes--stretch break and check-in

30 minutes—Accomplishment
Talking about Motivation
Thinking about setting goals
Tools for helping students set realistic goals and gain a sense of accomplishment
Set your goal--activity

20 minutes—Final Questions

5 minutes—Final Check-ins

Activities:
Throughout the workshop there will be a number of activities as outlined in the schedule above. In addition there will be:
1. Mentimeter check-ins and questions
2. 2-minute think-pair-share
3. Other opportunities to share

Speaker

1. Dr. Whitney C Blackburn-Lynch P.E.

   University of Kentucky

   Whitney Blackburn-Lynch is a water resources engineer who spent 14 years as a practicing engineer before returning to school for a PhD where she fell in love with working with students in the classroom. Because of her own experiences of depression and anxiety, she set out on a path to understand her experiences and in 2010 started seminary with the intention of becoming a Spiritual Counselor. She completed her ordination and spiritual counseling work in 2106. She has since used the skills learned in her counseling program to create Mental Wellness Content for the First Year Program at the University of Kentucky where she was a lecturer and Earlham College where she is currently employed.