ASEE 2011 Annual Conference & Exposition Blog

Your daily recap and reminder of the must-see events and happenings at the 2011 ASEE Annual Conference

Sunday, June 26

Don’t miss the ASEE Global Pavilion! Experience dynamic presentations by ASEE corporate and institutional partners highlighting globally focused programs and initiatives that address the critical issue of sustainability. There is no cost to attend pavilion sessions, but all sessions are ticketed. Visit the global pavilion promotional table located in the ASEE registration area to pick up your session tickets!

Make sure the ASEE Global Pavilion is on your agenda!

ASEE Global Pavilion schedule, Monday, June 27:

Autodesk ————————– 11:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
Mathworks ———————– 1:00 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.
National Instruments ——— 2:00 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.
ASEE International Dept. —- 3:00 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.

Highlights from Sunday:

Greet the Stars, an orientation session at the Pan Pacific Vancouver Hotel, Coal Harbor Suite for new ASEE members and first-time conference attendees, had ASEE President Renata Engel and other leaders on hand to explain the work of the Society and their goals for the conference.

Afterward, everyone gathered in the West Ballroom for ASEE’s Annual Picnic presented by Autodesk. Attendees were presented with First Nations entertainment, local cuisine, and a view of the Vancouver harbor.

What’s On Tomorrow:

Monday will be a full day, with early-morning technical sessions and breakfasts followed by the Main Plenary and a series of panel discussions and sessions through the afternoon. Be sure to take a mid-morning break to join the complimentary “Focus on Exhibits” Brunch in the Exhibit Hall.

For the titles, times and locations of all workshops, visit the online session locator. You can build an individual matrix or use a keyword search to find topics of interest.

ASEE Main Plenary, 8:45 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.

Vancouver International Conference Centre, West Ballroom CD

Expected to draw over 2,000 attendees, this year’s plenary features Karl A. Smith, Cooperative Learning Professor of Engineering Education at Purdue University and Morse–Alumni Distinguished Teaching Professor & Professor of Civil Engineering at the University of Minnesota.

Smith has been at the University of Minnesota since 1972 and has been active in ASEE since he became a member in 1973. For the past five years, he has been helping start the engineering education Ph.D. program at Purdue University. He is a Fellow of the American Society for Engineering Education and past Chair of the Educational Research and Methods Division. He has worked with thousands of faculty all over the world on pedagogies of engagement, especially cooperative learning, problem-based learning, and constructive controversy.

On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Journal of Engineering Education and the release of ASEE’s Phase II report Creating a Culture for Scholarly and Systematic Innovation in Engineering Education (Jamieson/Lohmann report), the plenary will celebrate these milestones and demonstrate rich, mutual interdependences between practice and inquiry into teaching and learning in engineering education. Depth and range of the plenary will energize the audience and reflects expertise and interests of conference participants. One of ASEE’s premier educators and researchers, Smith will draw upon our roots in scholarship to set the stage and weave the transitions for six highlighted topics selected for their broad appeal across established, evolving, and emerging practices in engineering education.

Globalizing Engineering Education I: Mini Plenary and Keynote. 4:00 p.m.–5:30 p.m. Conference Centre, 204.

Speaker: Dr. Lester A. Gerhardt: Professor, Electrical, Computer and Systems Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and Chair of Global Engineering Education Exchange (Global EEE). “Globalizing Engineering Education: A Status Report: Needs Met and Unmet, and a Vision for the Future.” Respondent: Peggy Blumenthal: Senior Counselor to the President, Institute of International Education.

Notable panels:

Socialization of Engineering Students: A Workplace Approach. 12:30p.m.–2:00 p.m. Conference Centre, 305. Moderator: Susan M. Matney, North Carolina State University. This is a panel discussion comprised of faculty, employers, and co-op professionals.

Innovative Graduate Education Concepts: Organized by the National Institute of Aerospace. 4:00 p.m.–5:30 p.m. Conference Centre, 207. Moderators: Bernard M. Grossman, Virginia Tech, and Mohammad Noori, California Polytechnic. Presenters address the need for creativity and innovation in engineering design.

And don’t miss:

What Works to Retain Students in Chemical Engineering Programs. 7:00 a.m.–8:30 a.m. Conference Centre, 107/108; Engineering as the STEM Glue. 7:00 a.m.–8:30 a.m. Conference Centre, 117; Two-Year College Model Design Competition. 10:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. Conference Centre, Exhibit Hall C; Tricks of the Trade in Teaching I. 12:30 p.m.–2:00 p.m. Conference Centre, East Building – Room 2; Preparing Your Students to be the Leaders of Tomorrow: The NAE Grand Challenge Scholars Program. 2:15 p.m.–3:45 p.m. Conference Centre, 122; Myths About Gender and Race. 2:15 p.m.–3:45 p.m. Conference Centre, East Building – Room 16; Architectural Engineering Education: Emergent Topics. 4:00 p.m.–5:30 p.m. Conference Centre, 220. Innovative Methods to Teach Engineering to URMs. 4:00 p.m.–5:30 p.m. Conference Centre, 107/108. Enhancing the Quality of Life throughout the World: Sustainable and Appropriate Technology Projects for the World’s Women. 4:00 p.m.–5:30 p.m. Conference Centre, East Building – Room 1. Thinking Outside the Box! Innovative Curriculum Exchange for K12 Engineering. 4:00 p.m.–5:30 p.m. Conference Centre, 110.

Spotlight on cross-disciplinary sessions:

Active and Project-Based Learning. 7:00 a.m.–8:30 a.m. Conference Centre, East Building – Room 20. Moderators: Eric Constans, Rowan University, and Laura L. Pauley, Penn State. Project- and Problem-Based Learning research and implementation across multiple divisions.

Multidisciplinary Technical Sessions. 7:00 a.m.–8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.–5:30 p.m. Conference Centre, 213. Sessions present multidisciplinary capstone and project experiences.

SPECIAL SESSION: Educational Methods and Tools to Encourage Conceptual Learning I. 12:30 p.m.–2:00 p.m. Conference Centre, 110. Committee on Interdivisional Cooperation discusses exploring opportunities for enhancing interdivisional exchange and coordination within ASEE.

Town Hall Meeting: Open Forum on Fostering Interdivisional Exchange and Cooperation. 4:00 p.m.–5:30 p.m. Conference Centre, 203. Committee on Interdivisional Cooperation discusses exploring opportunities for enhancing interdivisional exchange and coordination within ASEE.

Tablet PC use in Education. 4:00 p.m.–5:30 p.m. Conference Centre, 304. Moderators: Brianno Coller, Northern Illinois University, and James E. Lewis, University of Louisville. This session presents a variety of uses for, and studies of, the Tablet PC and pen-based devices in education.

Selected NSF grantees poster session presentations:

Establishment of an Integrated Learning Environment for Advanced Energy Storage Systems: Supporting the Sustainable Energy Development, Wayne State University; Bridging the Valley of Death: A 360° Approach to Understanding Adoption of Innovations in Engineering Education, Boise State University; A Case Study on Pill-Sized Robot in Gastro-Intestinal Tract to Teach Robot Programming and Navigation, Stevens Institute of Technology; Writing Effective Evaluation and Dissemination/Diffusion Plans, Penn State, Virginia Tech, Texas A&M, and Wayne State; Lab-in-a-Box: Online Instruction and Multimedia Materials to Support Independent Experimentation on Concepts from Circuits, Virginia Tech.

Grantees Poster Session. 10:30 a.m. –12:00 p.m. Conference Centre, Exhibit Hall C. Grantees from various NSF programs share their project findings in a series of panel presentations. Topics include: Tele-healthcare Engineering Undergraduate Education; Online Endless Quizzes as Graded Homework; Initiating Accredited Distance-education Engineering Degree Programs; Problem-Based Learning and Case Studies in Lab Courses; Nanotechnology in Undergraduate Education; Interactive Virtual Reality Games; and Drug Delivery Education Using Microsphere Technology.

Events highlights: MONDAY

Breakfast of Champions. 7:00 a.m.–8:30 a.m., Conference Centre, East Building – Room 3. Moderators: Matt Ohland, Purdue University, and Matthew Verleger, Utah State University. An interactive panel discussion on the state of engineering education as a formal academic discipline and projections for this field over the next five years. Tickets $30 on-site, $20 in advance, if eating (free without meal).

ASEE BISTRO. 9:00 a.m.–6:30 p.m. Conference Centre, Exhibit Hall C. Operating during the Exhibit Hall’s hours of operation, the Bistro features breakfast, lunch, snack foods, and beverages, available for purchase.

“Focus on Exhibits” Brunch, sponsored by MSC Software. 10:30 a.m.–Noon. Conference Centre, Exhibit Hall C. Demonstrating the industry’s most innovative products and services. Complimentary brunch.

Product Demo by Dassault Systèmes – SolidWorks Sustainibility. 3:00 p.m.–3:50 p.m. Conference Centre, Mobile Classroom – Exhibit Hall C. Hands-on demonstration on SolidWorks.

Networking Social: Student Constituent Committee and New Engineering Educators. 4:00 p.m.–5:30 p.m. Conference Centre, East Building – Room 19. Second annual SCC & New Engineering Educators (NEE) Networking Social.

Best Zone Paper Competition. 4:00 p.m.–5:30 p.m. Conference Centre, 117. Presentations by four winners of the “Best Zone Paper” competitions from the 2010 ASEE section meetings and judging. The winner is designated the “ASEE National Best Zone Paper” and receives a certificate and a $1,000 cash award.

A Celebration of the Engineering Education Research Community. 6:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m. Conference Centre, East Building – Room 14. This session, co-sponsored by the Journal of Engineering Education, will be a networking opportunity for people involved in or interested in engineering education research.

Campus Representatives Reception. 6:30 p.m.–8:00 p.m. Pan Pacific Vancouver Hotel, Oceanview Suite 1. Hosted by ASEE headquarters and the Board of Directors to honor ASEE campus reps and award participants in this year’s Campus Representative Member Promotion Program. All campus reps invited to attend this complimentary reception.

International Division Cocktail Reception 6:30 p.m.–8:00 p.m., Pan Pacific Vancouver Hotel, Oceanview Suite 2. Session Chairs: Gerry Johnson, Colorado State, Jean Pytel, Penn State, and Nick Safai, Salt Lake Community College. This complimentary event is sponsored provides an opportunity to meet and welcome international speaks and visitors, as well as informally mingle with colleagues. Registration is requested.

Awards banquets, receptions, dinners, and meetings will be held by several ASEE divisions. Check for locations, times, and ticket prices at: www.asee.org/osl.

Keep in Mind:

Registration continues Monday for attendees, exhibitors and presenters, 7:00 a.m.–Noon in the Conference Centre Exhibit Hall. Please give yourself ample time before sessions begin.

The Projects staff at the ASEE booth in the Exhibit Hall can provide the latest information on fellowships and scholarships administered by the Society. Learn about millions of dollars’ worth of programs for faculty, post-doctoral researchers, graduates, and interns sponsored by the U.S. Navy, National Science Foundation, and Department of Defense.

The Speaker Ready Room provides a dedicated quiet space for presenters to prepare their materials. Monday – Wednesday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Conference Centre, 102. Internet service is not provided.

Your daily recap and reminder of the must-see events and happenings at the 2011 ASEE Annual Conference.

Saturday, June 25

Welcome to Vancouver and ASEE’s 118^th Annual Conference and Exposition. We hope you’re comfortably settled in. If you need urgent assistance, our conference staff is available at the registration desk in the exhibit hall at the Vancouver International Conference Center.

The ASEE Global Pavilion in the Exhibit Hall on Sunday, June 26, 2011 highlights ASEE’s expanding international activities and global initiatives of ASEE corporate partners. Activities, appetizers, and drinks are free but ticketed, and space is limited. Please stop by the pavilion during exhibit hall hours to reserve your spot. Make sure the ASEE Global Pavilion is on your agenda!

Please take the time to complete our interactive survey of ASEE members. The information it provides will enable help the Society improve services and publications in the most efficient, cost-effective manner.

Highlights from Saturday:

Today’s highlight was the 8^th annual ASEE workshop on K-12 engineering education, presented by Dassault Systèmes for K-12 educators. The daylong series of interactive workshop sessions introduced K-12 teachers and engineering educators to effective, innovative engineering education resources designed for the K-12 classroom. For the first time this year, we were joined by representatives of the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), who provided the latest information on Web-based professional development and other resources. Other noteworthy presentations included “Engaging a School District in STEM Reform through Engineering” by speakers from Mobile, Ala., and “Teaching STEM Principles Through the Design, Construction and Deployment of Water Quality Sensors,” from the University of South Florida.

Some photos from the workshop:

From “Nanoscale Science and Engineering Lessons that Connect to What You Teach,” Georgia Institute of Technology.

From “Family Engineering for Elementary Age Children and Their Parents”

Society of Women Engineers’ session “Bringing Outreach into Your Classroom, It’s Easier Than You Think!”

Making lip gloss in Society of Women Engineers’ session.

NSTA Executive Director Francis Eberle.

Making concrete in “Concrete for Kids,” from Virginia Tech and Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center, McLean, VA.

A special tour of the Vancouver Convention Center’s green roof was a surprise bonus for “Building a Green Roof” workshop attendees. They even got to sample the delicious honey from the rooftop’s bees!

What’s On Tomorrow:

SUNDAY will be a partial day with several workshops and the ASEE 2010-2011 Board of Directors Meeting, followed by the ASEE Picnic featuring local cuisine and traditional First Nations entertainment.

For the titles, times and locations of all workshops, visit the online session locator. You can build an individual matrix or use a keyword search to find topics of interest.

Notable Workshops:

Real World Engineering Projects: Discovery-Based Curriculum Modules for First-Year Students. 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. Conference Centre, 116/117. In this three hour session, attendees will work on one of the IEEE’s hands-on Real World Engineering Projects (RWEP), discovering first-hand how students design and build project materials and what they learn about engineered solutions to societal challenges and the engineering design cycle.

Improving Students’ Oral Presentation Skills Using an Executive-Based Rubric developed at Georgia Tech. 2:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m. Conference Centre, 107/108.  Participants will use a robust set of tools developed at Georgia Tech for improving student oral presentations. Ticketed: $25 in advance, $35 on-site.

Instilling the Entrepreneurial/Innovation Mindset in Students. 2:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m. Conference Centre, 306. Co-presenters will share their years of experience in teaching entrepreneurial, innovative, and creative skills to students from different disciplines at different universities. Ticketed: $25 in advance, $35 on-site.

Writers and Engineers Unite! A Process for Collaborative Development of Communication Pedagogy. 2:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m. Conference Centre, 121. At Rose-Hulman, writing and engineering faculty started a dialogue to formulate and solidify competencies that define courses in both areas. Engineering lab courses emerged as a site to reinforce and build upon crucial skills from required writing courses. Ticketed: $25 advance registration, $35 on-site.

Developing an Engineering Minor or Engineering Certificate for Non-Engineers. 2:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m. Conference Centre, 205. This hands-on session will help participants to develop a minor or certificate in engineering studies for non-engineering students. The purpose is to provide a meaningful understanding of technology and engineering for students who are not planning on working as engineers but who expect to be working in technology-related fields or industries.

And don’t miss:

(First-Year) Design Fishbowl. 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. Conference Centre, 107/108; Principles of Quantitative Research Design for Engineering Education Researchers. 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. Conference Centre, 111/112; Real World Engineering Projects: Discovery-Based Curriculum Modules for First-Year Students. 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. Conference Centre, 116/117.

Events highlights: SUNDAY

Associate Deans Meeting. 10:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Conference Centre, 103/104. Meet your colleagues in an informal setting. Tickets $35 pre-reg./$45 on-site.

ASEE 2010-2011 Board of Directors Meeting. 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Pan Pacific Vancouver Hotel, Pacific Rim II.

Greet the Stars First Timers Orientation. 4:00 p.m.–5:30 p.m. Pan Pacific Vancouver Hotel, Coal Harbor Suite. New ASEE members and first-time conference attendees will gain an overview of the conference and ASEE from the Society’s president and other leaders at this complimentary gathering. All are welcome.

ASEE Picnic. 6:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m. Conference Centre, West Ballroom CD.  Reconnect with old friends and make new ones while enjoying delicious, local cuisine, drinks, and traditional First Nations entertainment. $35 for registered attendees, pre-reg, $45 on-site. $45 for un-registered attendees, $55 on-site, $20 for children 6-12 years old.

Keep in Mind:

Registration continues Sunday for attendees, exhibitors and presenters, 7:00 a.m.–Noon in the Conference Centre Exhibit Hall. Please give yourself ample time before sessions begin.

The Projects staff at the ASEE booth in the Exhibit Hall can provide the latest information on fellowships and scholarships administered by the Society. Learn about millions of dollars’ worth of programs for faculty, post-doctoral researchers, graduates, and interns sponsored by the U.S. Navy, National Science Foundation, and Department of Defense.

The Speaker Ready Room provides a dedicated quiet space for presenters to prepare their materials. Sunday, 12:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m., and Monday – Wednesday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Conference Centre, 102. Internet service is not provided.