RSS Feed for Latest News / en Two WPI Professors Recognized with State Educator Award /news/two-wpi-professors-recognized-state-educator-award <p>The <a>Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP)</a> has recognized two WPI faculty members as recipients of the department's Educator Award to celebrate their decade of work in upholding the department鈥檚 mission to ensure a clean environment and enhance natural resources in the state. During an event at WPI in June, the MassDEP announced the recipients of the award: <a>Corey Denenberg Dehner</a>, associate professor of teaching in <a>The Global School</a>, and <a>Paul Mathisen</a>, associate professor in the <a>Department of Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering</a> and WPI鈥檚 director of sustainability.&nbsp;</p> <p>Dehner and Mathisen co-direct WPI鈥檚 <a>Massachusetts Water Resource Outreach Center (WROC</a>), a project center that allows student teams to partner with municipalities, local government agencies, and watershed organizations to work on water resource challenges. Dehner and Mathisen co-founded the center in 2015 with a goal of exposing students to the inner workings of state and local government and tackling water resource issues in Central and Eastern Massachusetts.&nbsp;</p> <p>Leaders with the MassDEP cited the pair鈥檚 work at the center as a main reason they were selected to receive the award. The department gives the honor to recognize educators who inspire and empower students to protect the planet; who incorporate environmental themes into curriculum; and who are committed to fostering environmental awareness in the community. MassDEP leaders said the project center has exposed students to environmental challenges through work on water issues such as nitrogen reduction and emerging contaminants and has provided students with the chance to learn about careers in the environmental field.</p> <p>鈥淔or 50 years, MassDEP has been protecting our natural resources and working with local communities to ensure the water we drink is safe and healthy,鈥?said MassDEP Commissioner Bonnie Heiple.&nbsp;鈥淎nd since its founding, WPI鈥檚 Massachusetts Water Resource Outreach Center has shared this commitment to safeguarding our vital water resources. Students are gaining hands-on experience to address the many challenges facing our drinking water today, including lead, PFAS, and a changing climate. We are grateful to have partners like WROC to ensure the next generation of water specialists are well equipped to take on these challenges and maintain<span> Massachusetts鈥?lt;/span> drinking water as some of the cleanest in the nation.鈥?lt;/p> <article> <div> <div> <img> <p> <img></p> </div> </div> <div> <p>Dehner accepts award and governor's citation from John Beling, deputy commissioner of policy and planning for MassDEP</p> </div> </article> <p>Dehner expressed gratitude for everyone at the MassDEP and for their efforts and collaboration with the WROC. 鈥淚 think the award is a recognition of this effective partnership,鈥?she said. 鈥淭hrough collaboration with the MassDEP, our project center is able to help WPI students understand the value of being civically engaged and the interplay between federal and state environmental agencies, local communities, industry, and organizations.鈥?lt;/p> <p><span>Dehner credited Andrea Briggs, deputy director of MassDEP鈥檚 central region, with helping her and Mathisen bring the evolving goals of the WROC to fruition. For example, in the spring Dehner, Mathisen, and Briggs worked with students to develop a comprehensive immersion program to intentionally and thoughtfully expose students to the breadth of water resource career opportunities and to help students understand the complex relationship between state, federal, and local governance. During a single project term, for example, students may tour a water treatment plant and a town鈥檚 stormwater infrastructure facilities, conduct hands-on activities such as water quality testing and participate in a MassDEP roundtable with employees from different water-related divisions.&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span>Also starting this spring, WROC began publishing student projects on QUBES Hub, an open educational resource site. This gives residents, organizations, and municipal officials an additional way to access the resources students develop. These materials can also be found on the </span><a><span>WROC website</span></a><span>.</span></p> <p>Through the center and WPI鈥檚 commitment to delivering <a>project-based learning</a>, students have had the opportunity to complete more than 40 projects directly with MassDEP or other sponsors, including local municipalities and the <a>Central Massachusetts Regional Stormwater Coalition</a>.&nbsp;</p> <article> <div> <div> <img> <p> <img></p> </div> </div> <div> <p>WROC student team learning about the requirements for completing culvert assessment in Sutton</p> </div> </article> <p><span>Those projects have included creating educational campaigns to alert the public to the dangers of PFAS chemical contamination in drinking water; conducting outreach to inform private well owners about groundwater contamination; producing a manual to help cities and towns consider establishing funding mechanisms to manage the impacts of stormwater runoff; and helping the City of Worcester develop guidelines for monitoring bacteria levels in ponds and lakes. In many cases, towns and cities have chosen to partner with WPI students to help tackle important water issues that demand resources and staff beyond what they can dedicate.</span></p> <p>Mathisen said the projects give students the chance to make an impact in communities by doing hands-on work in partnership with others. The projects also help the students learn how water resource policy is created and implemented and provide opportunities to receive mentorship from professionals working in water management and environmental protection.</p> <p>鈥淥ne of the goals of the WROC is to help our students gain leadership experience and the perspective to make a difference and have a positive impact on sustainability in their future careers,鈥?said Mathisen. 鈥淭he projects not only help to educate students and the public, they also show students the importance of bringing together people with different experiences, perspectives, and talents to address an issue, whether it鈥檚 a water resources challenge or a problem in a different area.鈥?lt;/p> <article> <div> <div> <img> <p> <img></p> </div> </div> <div> <p>Students learn about the water protection work of MassDEP employees in the department's Central Regional Office</p> </div> </article> <p>The WROC is one of more than 50 <a>WPI project centers</a> on six continents where students conduct term-long projects required for graduation. At this specific center, students can complete their <a>Interactive Qualifying Project</a>, a signature WPI project that places students in interdisciplinary teams to work in partnership with a community-based sponsor on a challenge at the intersection of science, technology, and the needs of society.</p> <p><span>Dehner accepted the award on behalf of herself and Mathisen during a MassDEP 50th anniversary celebration at Rubin Campus Center.&nbsp;</span>John Beling, the department鈥檚 deputy commissioner of policy and planning, read a citation from Gov. Maura Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll in recognition of the WPI educators and WROC鈥檚 10th anniversary, stating, 鈥淢assachusetts commends your ongoing efforts addressing municipal water resource challenges through this hands-on community engagement and partnership.鈥?amp;nbsp;</p> <p>Beling added that the state鈥檚 partnership with the project center provides benefits both to students and the MassDEP. 鈥淚t鈥檚 so important that we expose students to the work we do and to help them understand what we do,鈥?he said. 鈥淲e get a lot out of it. Hopefully they get a lot out of it. I hope this relationship continues and is as beneficial as it has been for the last 10 years.鈥?amp;nbsp;</p> Wed, 25 Jun 2025 12:00:00 +0000 jcain /news/two-wpi-professors-recognized-state-educator-award Project-Based Learning Fellowship Benefits Faculty at WPI鈥攁nd Beyond /news/project-based-learning-fellowship-benefits-faculty-wpi-and-beyond <p>Four WPI faculty members have been selected for this year鈥檚 cohort of faculty fellows at the <a>Center for Project-Based Learning</a> (CPBL). Now in its third year, the fellowship program is proving a successful鈥攁nd increasingly popular鈥攎ultidimensional growth opportunity for WPI faculty.&nbsp;</p> <p>鈥淥ur faculty fellows program is a wonderfully symbiotic way for WPI faculty to engage in their own professional development while also producing a practical tool, like a resource guide or sample lesson plans, that enriches the field of project-based learning scholarship and teaching,鈥?says <a>Kris Wobbe</a>, director of the Center for Project-Based Learning.&nbsp;</p> <p>This year鈥檚 cohort includes <a>Zo毛 Eddy</a>, assistant professor of teaching in the Department of Integrative and Global Studies; <a>Ryan Madan</a>, associate professor of teaching in the Department of Humanities and Arts; <a>Stephen McCauley</a>, associate professor of teaching in the Department of Integrative and Global Studies; and <a>Daniel Treku</a>, assistant teaching professor in The Business School.&nbsp;</p> <p>Over the summer each fellow will research an area of their choosing, then produce a related resource that will be accessible to faculty at WPI and beyond. (See In the Works, below, to learn more about the 2025 cohort鈥檚 projects and for a link to previous fellows鈥?deliverables.)</p> <p>Faculty fellows also meet regularly as a group to discuss their topics and either teach a workshop or coach a team at the <a>Institute for Project-Based Learning</a>. For engaging in the program and submitting their final resource, each fellow receives $10,000.</p> <p><strong>Professional development, in community</strong></p> <p>The program is an especially beneficial opportunity for younger faculty who are working toward tenure and promotion, in part because each fellow creates a resource that becomes publicly available. Wobbe notes that the community that develops among each cohort is likewise valuable, regardless of where the fellows are on their professional journey.&nbsp;</p> <p>鈥淥ver the summer the fellows have regular meetings, engaging in rich conversations about each other鈥檚 projects, providing not just guidance but also new ways of looking at things,鈥?she says. 鈥淔aculty don鈥檛 often spend much time talking to each other about how they鈥檙e teaching or why they鈥檙e teaching something in a certain way. The fellows are given the opportunity to have those conversations鈥攁nd they really enjoy it.鈥?lt;/p> <p>They鈥檝e also told their colleagues: Interest in the fellowship program has grown substantially since it began in 2023, with 23 faculty members applying for this year鈥檚 four spots. Last year the CPBL received 13 applications.&nbsp;</p> Mon, 28 Apr 2025 12:00:00 +0000 mlumsden /news/project-based-learning-fellowship-benefits-faculty-wpi-and-beyond Real-World Learning, From Hawaii to Morocco /news/real-world-learning-hawaii-morocco <p>Arriving in Honolulu in January 2024, they were: an extremely organized gourmand; a fly-fishing enthusiast with a knack for technical details; a fashion afficionado who is also a strong writer; and a numbers guy looking for good work-life balance. When they returned to WPI seven weeks later, they were a team.&nbsp;</p> <p>Along the way, Kang Zhang 鈥?6, Nick Sloan 鈥?5, Morgan Polinski 鈥?5, and Sander Coscia 鈥?5 learned a lot鈥攁bout themselves, each other, community outreach, marketing, economics, manufacturing regulations and processes, oceanography, environmental conservation, Pacific Island cultures, and so much more.&nbsp;</p> <p>Their <a>Interactive Qualifying Project</a> (IQP) assessed the <a>feasibility of producing value-added products</a> at scale to reduce seafood waste in Hawaii. With guidance from community sponsor <a>Conservation International Hawaii</a> and two faculty advisors, the team focused its research on two value-added products: fish broth and fish leather.&nbsp;</p> <p>None of the students had even heard of fish leather before working on this project. And Zhang was the only one of them who鈥檇 ever had fish broth. Polinski doesn鈥檛 even like fish.&nbsp;</p> <p>Still, they figured out how to maximize their interests and strengths. Together.&nbsp;</p> Mon, 14 Apr 2025 12:00:00 +0000 mlumsden /news/real-world-learning-hawaii-morocco Students Explore Careers in Sustainability Through Mentorship Program /news/students-explore-careers-sustainability-through-mentorship-program <p><span>A new mentorship program at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) is guiding students with an interest in sustainability to cultivate careers that not only support their passion but also sustainably support their futures.</span></p> <p>In the fall of 2024, a group of faculty and staff came together to start the <a>Sustainable Career Mentorship Program</a>. It connects WPI students with professionals working in green jobs and positions involving sustainability for one-on-one meetings at least twice per year. Organizers of the program say it addresses a request from students to learn more about the types of jobs that exist in these fields and how to find them, and a growing demand from employers.</p> <p>According to the World Economic Forum鈥檚 <a>Future of Jobs Report 2025</a>, climate change adaptation is projected to be the third-largest contributor to global job growth by 2030, while climate change mitigation is expected to be the sixth largest contributor. Together, those fields are expected to generate an additional 8 million jobs during that time. A <a>U.S. Department of Energy</a> report finds that the number of jobs in clean energy grew by 4.2% in 2023. That rate was more than double the rate of job growth across the overall U.S. economy.</p> <article> <div> <div> <img> <p> <img></p> </div> </div> <div> <p>Elisabeth Stoddard, associate professor of teaching</p> </div> </article> <p>鈥淲e鈥檙e preparing our students for a job market that鈥檚 actively looking for qualified people,鈥?says <a>Elisabeth "Lisa" Stoddard</a>, associate professor of teaching in <a>environmental and sustainability studies</a> and in <a>The Global School</a>, who is an organizer of the mentorship program. <span>鈥淚f we can take students鈥?passions and interests and we can prepare students through the mentorship program to be able to show up for these jobs qualified and excited, we鈥檙e enhancing their ability to get jobs that they鈥檙e passionate about and fill positions to address the climate crisis.鈥?lt;/span></p> <p>Any student with an interest in sustainability can join the program. They need only to provide information about their goals for having a mentor in this space to help organizers identify a professional who is a good match for their interests. Stoddard said discussions with mentors can include everything from learning about what types of jobs fit a student鈥檚 interests and helping them identify internships or research opportunities to reviewing their resume and offering advice on how to shift into a sustainability career from an existing job.</p> <article> <div> <div> <img> <p> <img></p> </div> </div> <div> <p>A virtual meeting allows a mentor and mentee to connect. Photographed: JoLeisa Cramer, manager, field science operations 鈥?northeast, National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON); Jacob Friend 鈥?5 Environmental &amp; Sustainability Studies, Data Science</p> </div> </article> <p>The wide range of students and professionals in the program represents the variety of opportunities available in green and sustainable careers. Seventeen WPI students, majoring in fields from <a>robotics engineering</a> and <a>data science</a> to <a>civil, environmental, and architectural engineering</a> and <a>environmental and sustainability studies</a>, are currently mentees. There are 25 mentors, including 14 who are WPI alumni. Mentors hold positions in areas that include corporate sustainability, energy, civil engineering, water quality and management, ecology, and climate adaptation. They hold jobs in private industry, nonprofits, and government; others own their own businesses.</p> <p>Tara Checko 鈥?5, a double major in environmental and sustainability studies and <a>mechanical engineering</a>, meets regularly with her mentor, Erin Spadavecchia 鈥?5, who is manager of sustainable building solutions for <a>ASSA ABLOY</a>, a manufacturer of door opening solutions. When they meet, they catch up on life, discuss ways to advance sustainability initiatives in the workplace, and develop new connections with people who specialize in sustainability. They鈥檙e also making plans to attend the Design for Freedom Summit, a yearly gathering focused on responsible supply chain practices and the removal of forced labor in the building materials supply chain.</p> <p>鈥淚鈥檝e enjoyed talking with Erin about how sustainability can manifest itself in large corporate settings,鈥?says Checko. 鈥淚 wanted to know more about how I can help to push these initiatives. Inherently, it can be harder to change minds and institute new policies in larger companies. I鈥檝e met with Erin about ways to overcome this mentality for corporations.鈥?lt;/p> <article> <div> <div> <img> <p> <img></p> </div> </div> <div> <p>Tara Checko 鈥?5 meets with her mentor Erin Spadavecchia 鈥?5</p> </div> </article> <p>For Spadavecchia, serving as a mentor represents an opportunity to actively give back to her alma mater and to share her experience to help others in their career journeys. 鈥淢entorship accelerates knowledge share, instills confidence, creates a sense of belonging, and fosters upward mobility,鈥?says Spadavecchia. 鈥淢y hope is that Tara and all the mentees feel that a meaningful connection has been established鈥攕omeone always in their corner, a safe place to reach out to for advice, a support system. All of these are essential for the ups and downs that eventually play out throughout a career and life.鈥?lt;/p> <p>While the mentorship program is a new offering, it was created as a natural offshoot of WPI鈥檚 ongoing <a>Careers for Sustainable and Just Communities Networking and Mentoring Events</a>. The annual events, held since 2022, typically bring together more than 100 students and dozens of employers in sustainability fields for several hours of informal discussion, questions and answers, and networking.&nbsp;</p> <p>Stoddard has been a driving force in the development of both the mentorship program and the annual event series. She has partnered with staff and faculty across the university, including <a>Laureen Elgert</a>, head of the <a>Department of Integrative and Global Studies</a>; <a>Mimi Sheller</a>, dean of The Global School; <a>Robert Krueger</a>, head of the <a>Department of Social Science and Policy Studies</a>; <a>Paul Mathisen</a>, director of <a>sustainability</a><span> and associate professor in the Department of Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering</span>; <a>Nicole Luiz</a>, manager of energy and sustainability; <a>Brittany Taylor</a>, assistant director of career services in the <a>Career Development Center</a>; and <a>Hannah Shick</a>, operations coordinator in The Global School; as well as with members of the <a>WPI Green Team</a>, a student-led organization that promotes sustainability.</p> <article> <div> <div> <img> <p> <img></p> </div> </div> <div> <p>Pamela (Giasson) Lynch 鈥?5, president of the alumni association, participates with students and other professionals at a Careers for Sustainable and Just Communities Networking Event</p> </div> </article> <p><a>Alumni</a> connections, through the Office of Lifetime Engagement and the <a>WPI Alumni Association</a>, have also been critical to supporting the growth of the ranks of mentors and networking event participants. Pamela (Giasson) Lynch 鈥?5, president of the alumni association, participates in both programs. She says society needs to do more work around sustainable development and she believes future generations will benefit from opportunities like these provided at WPI. 鈥淭he work to establish and grow the Sustainable Career Mentorship Program and the Careers for Sustainable and Just Communities Networking and Mentoring Events is critical,鈥?she says. 鈥淪ome of this work is planting seeds for trees under which our generation may never sit, but the shade they provide will shape a better future.鈥?lt;/p> <p>Organizers of the mentorship program are collecting feedback from participants that can be used to improve the program moving forward. Stoddard says initial responses suggest the one-on-one meetings have expanded the mentees鈥?knowledge about available opportunities in sustainability and provided mentors with meaningful opportunities to help students make progress and connections.</p> <p>Stoddard says her work to expand the program is a way she can support students and address the climate challenge. 鈥淲e have a cohort of students developing expertise and knowledge and becoming ready for the job market to tackle these global problems that are at a crisis level,鈥?she says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 exciting and inspiring to see because we need that diverse set of knowledge, majors, minds, and insight to address that kind of problem.鈥?lt;/p> Thu, 27 Mar 2025 12:00:00 +0000 jcain /news/students-explore-careers-sustainability-through-mentorship-program WPI Announces 2025 Faculty Promotions and Tenure Awards /news/wpi-announces-2025-faculty-promotions-and-tenure-awards <p><span>Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) has awarded promotions and/or tenure to 33 full-time faculty members in recognition of their exemplary teaching, research, and service to the WPI community.</span> <span>All promotions and awards of tenure take effect July 1, 2025.</span></p> <p><span>鈥淚 am delighted to congratulate the talented faculty members who have been promoted and awarded tenure this year,鈥?said&nbsp;</span><a><span>Andrew Sears</span></a><span>, WPI provost. 鈥淭hese faculty are being recognized for the outstanding contributions they have made through their teaching, advising, research, and scholarship. They are excellent teachers, internationally recognized scholars, and respected representatives of the WPI community.鈥?lt;/span></p> <p><span>Among those recognized for their achievements are 21 faculty members who have been awarded tenure. Sixteen faculty members were awarded tenure for their achievements in both teaching and research. Six other professors were awarded tenure through the&nbsp;</span><a><span>university鈥檚 innovative tenure track for faculty who focus on excellence in teaching.</span></a><span> WPI launched the tenure track for teaching faculty in 2021 and&nbsp;</span><a><span>first awarded tenure to teaching faculty members in 2024</span></a><span>.&nbsp;</span></p> Tue, 04 Mar 2025 12:00:00 +0000 leckelbecker /news/wpi-announces-2025-faculty-promotions-and-tenure-awards Students Share Global Projects at President鈥檚 IQP Award Final Presentations /news/students-share-global-projects-presidents-iqp-award-final-presentations <article> <div> <div> <img> <p> <img></p> </div> </div> <div> <p>Students (L-R) Naomi Treto and Katelyn Lunny participated in a presentation of their team's project.</p> </div> </article> <p><span>On January 31, a campus tradition recognized some of the excellent work done by WPI students during one of the university鈥檚 signature academic experiences, the&nbsp;</span><a><span>Interactive Qualifying Project</span></a><span> (IQP). The President鈥檚 IQP Award, given annually, honors outstanding achievement in the seven-week, full-time projects completed during the previous academic year. The IQP requires students to work in interdisciplinary teams in partnership with a community-based sponsor to address a real-world problem that involves science, technology, and societal needs. Most students complete their IQP off-campus at one of more than 50&nbsp;</span><a><span>WPI project centers</span></a><span> located on six continents.&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span>Student teams are invited to enter their projects to compete for the President鈥檚 IQP Award. Out of the submissions from the more than 300 IQPs completed in the 2023鈥?024 academic year, a faculty screening committee selected five projects as finalists. The teams whose projects were chosen presented their work in the Rubin Campus Center Odeum to&nbsp;</span><a><span>President Grace Wang</span></a><span>, their project advisors, faculty, staff, students, family members, and a panel of judges.&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span>The finalist projects represent the breadth of the societal challenges addressed by WPI students, the variety of locations where students can travel through the&nbsp;</span><a><span>Global Projects Program</span></a><span>, and the exemplary research, writing, teamwork, and appreciation of the social and humanistic contexts that are critical components of the IQP.</span></p> <p><span>After deliberation, the judges decided two teams鈥攊nstead of just one鈥攕hould win the 2024 President鈥檚 IQP Award. The winning projects were announced at a reception for the finalists at Higgins House following the project presentations.</span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><span><strong>The winning teams</strong></span></p> <p><span>Hunter Daris, Ella Devault, Gavin George, and Federico Lenson, all seniors, completed their award-winning project </span><a><span>鈥淏ehind the Frontline: Vicarious Trauma Amongst Support Staff in Victoria鈥檚 Emergency Management Sector鈥?lt;/span></a><span> at the&nbsp;</span><a><span>Melbourne, Australia project center</span></a><span>. They worked with the nonprofit Emergency Services Foundation, interviewing support workers (such as dispatchers, journalists, and counselors) from 12 agencies to better understand their lived experiences with vicarious trauma. Their stories revealed often-unacknowledged struggles and barriers to accessing trauma support resources. After interviews with mental health experts, the team recommended new practices to help workers in these roles.&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span>In addition to preparing a final written report, the students presented their findings in a webinar with managers from the emergency services sector and they produced a podcast episode in which emergency management support staff shared their stories to raise awareness of vicarious trauma and encourage others to seek help. 鈥淲e鈥檙e very proud of the reach that our research has had,鈥?Devault, a civil engineering major, said in the team鈥檚 award event presentation. 鈥淲e know that the real work is being done every day by the managers and the support staff to really develop and refine these programs to make sure that no support staff individual is left behind.鈥?The team was advised by&nbsp;</span><a><span>Lorraine Higgins</span></a><span>, a teaching professor in&nbsp;</span><a><span>The Global School</span></a><span>, and Jonathan Chee, a local coordinator at the Melbourne project center.</span></p> <p><span>A&nbsp;President鈥檚 IQP Award was also given to seniors Peter Allen, Marley Fortune, and Camille Prats and juniors Annabelle Mullins and Colette Scott for their project&nbsp;</span><a><span>鈥淗ow Bazar? Creating Interactive Media to Promote Community Building,鈥?lt;/span></a><span> which they did at the&nbsp;</span><a><span>Lyon, France project center</span></a><span>. The team partnered with SINGA Lyon, an organization that seeks to accelerate the inclusion of migrants and asylum seekers in communities.&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span>The students conducted research on immigration politics in France and developed strategies, including a digital icebreaker game and a migration quiz, for SINGA鈥檚 annual Bazar Festival to promote greater understanding of migrants and create new connections between people. Prats, an interactive media and game development major, said the project sponsor was excited by the team鈥檚 ability to build games. 鈥淭hey thought that games would be a good way to reach out to people without having to have a serious conversation about immigration,鈥?she said. 鈥淎 game can be a friendlier way to start a conversation.鈥?The team was advised by&nbsp;</span><a><span>Grant Burrier</span></a><span>, associate professor of teaching in The Global School, and&nbsp;</span><a><span>Tahar El-Korchi</span></a><span>, professor of civil, environmental, and architectural engineering.</span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><span><strong>The finalists</strong></span></p> <p><span>鈥?lt;/span><a><span>Harmonizing Holistic Health &amp; Disaster Relief in Puerto Rico</span></a><span>.鈥?Students: seniors Ian Cody, Mya Darrow, Katelyn Lunny, and Naomi Treto. Advisors: Grant Burrier and&nbsp;</span><a><span>Scott Jiusto</span></a><span>.&nbsp;</span><a><span>San Juan, Puerto Rico project center</span></a><span>. The team worked with Apoyo Mutuo Agr铆cola to create a community-based emergency plan for rural and urban areas, develop a website, and gather information on resources available to help the nonprofit strengthen its network.</span></p> <article> <div> <div> <img> <p> <img></p> </div> </div> <div> <p>Students (L-R) Avila Thompson, Hillary Quezada, Andrew Cunningham, and Luca Scotto presented their project.</p> </div> </article> <p><span>鈥?lt;/span><a><span>The Implementation of the XRP Curriculum in the Cerrito School of Paraguay</span></a><span>.鈥?Students: seniors Andrew Cunningham, Hillary Quezada, Luca Scotto, and Avila Thompson. Advisors: Dorothy Burt, adjunct instructor, and&nbsp;</span><a><span>Lina Mu帽oz-M谩rquez</span></a><span>.&nbsp;</span><a><span>Asunci贸n, Paraguay project center</span></a><span>. The team worked with the nonprofit Fundaci贸n Paraguaya to develop presentations, lesson plans, workshops, and multimedia tools to launch a robotics course in a high school. The course utilizes the&nbsp;</span><a><span>Experiential Robotics Platform (XRP)</span></a><span>, which WPI helped develop with DEKA Research &amp; Development Corp.</span></p> <p><span>鈥?lt;/span><a><span>T-School Hands-On Program at Soochow University</span></a><span>.鈥?Students: seniors Spencer Dill, Eleanor Foley, Sakshi Gauro, and Jakub Jandus. Advisors:&nbsp;</span><a><span>Robert Kinicki</span></a><span> and&nbsp;</span><a><span>Wen-Hua Du</span></a><span>.&nbsp;</span><a><span>Taipei, Taiwan project center</span></a><span>. The students worked with faculty at Soochow University and conducted interviews, surveys, observations, and analysis to provide recommendations for the university鈥檚 experiential Talent School (T-School) to improve educational outcomes, student satisfaction, and teamwork.</span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><span><strong>Honorable mentions</strong></span></p> <p><span>The following projects received honorable mentions by the faculty review committee that selected the finalists for the President鈥檚 IQP Award:</span></p> <p><span>鈥?lt;/span><a><span>Developing a Kiwi Safety Plan for Upper Hutt, Aotearoa</span></a><span>.鈥?Students: seniors William Brownell, Seth Frank, Domenic Sena, Paige Sommers. Advisors:&nbsp;</span><a><span>Leslie Dodson</span></a><span>,&nbsp;</span><a><span>Kenneth Stafford</span></a><span>, and&nbsp;</span><a><span>Ingrid Shockey</span></a><span>.&nbsp;</span><a><span>Wellington, New Zealand project center</span></a><span>. The team collaborated with Pest Free Upper Hutt, a community-based organization, to develop a plan and create publicly available informational material on ways to protect kiwi, birds that are a national symbol in New Zealand.</span></p> <p><span>鈥?lt;/span><a><span>Digital Heritage Preservation of the Shilin District: Conserving Taiwan鈥檚 Unique Identity</span></a><span>.鈥?Students: seniors Will Buchta, Hannah Moran, Rose Strobel, Alexis Vilmenay. Advisors: Wen-Hua Du and Robert Kinicki.&nbsp;</span><a><span>Taipei, Taiwan project center</span></a><span>. The students partnered with Fu-sheng Shih, an associate professor at Soochow University, to develop an interactive website to help preserve the cultural heritage and identity of one of Taipei鈥檚 12 districts.</span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><span><strong>The judges</strong></span></p> <p><span>In advance of the final presentations, four judges reviewed the written reports and materials submitted by the five finalist teams. At the event, the panel observed each team鈥檚 presentation, asked team members questions about their projects, and then met to select the award winners. Judges included Lisa Mullins, news anchor at WBUR, a National Public Radio affiliate in Boston;&nbsp;</span><a><span>Mimi Sheller</span></a><span>, dean of The Global School;&nbsp;</span><a><span>Kris Wobbe</span></a><span>, director of the Center for Project-Based Learning at WPI; and Mark Boyer, professor emeritus at the University of Connecticut and former executive director of the International Studies Association.</span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> Thu, 13 Feb 2025 12:00:00 +0000 jcain /news/students-share-global-projects-presidents-iqp-award-final-presentations First-Year Students Explore Artificial Intelligence /news/first-year-students-explore-artificial-intelligence <p>The steady drumbeat of news about advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) technology and its potential to unlock solutions and reshape the nature of work has made it clear that society is facing rapid transformation.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>To help students prepare for the possibilities and challenges of this moment and the future, WPI has begun examining AI through its Great Problems Seminar, exposing first-year students to AI tools to explore how they work, to think critically about those tools鈥?potential benefits and risks to individuals and communities, and to consider ethical questions involving the emerging technology.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>WPI鈥檚 Great Problems Seminar offers 11 courses, two-terms in length, to immerse first-year students in university-level research, introduce them to WPI鈥檚 project-based learning, and explore issues of global importance.&nbsp; This fall, the seminar launched two new AI courses.</p> <p>鈥淭hrough this new curriculum, we鈥檙e calling on students to ask, 鈥楥an we?鈥?amp;nbsp; and 鈥楽hould we?鈥?when it comes to AI,鈥?said <a>Sarah Stanlick</a>, director of the Great Problems Seminar and an assistant professor in the <a>Department of Integrative and Global Studies</a>. 鈥淲e hear a lot about the potential of AI for good and sustainability. However, there are concerns about the hidden costs of running AI, such as data usage and resource depletion. I鈥檓 excited our students are exploring these complexities.鈥?amp;nbsp;</p> Thu, 30 Jan 2025 12:00:00 +0000 jcain /news/first-year-students-explore-artificial-intelligence Sharing Educational Opportunities To Build a Brighter Future /news/sharing-educational-opportunities-build-brighter-future <p>Kerry Xiao 鈥?6 and Colin Cotton 鈥?6 know they鈥檙e lucky: Growing up, they had adults around them who offered them life-changing opportunities, and last summer the duo worked to do the same for middle schoolers in their hometown of Wilmington, Del.&nbsp;</p> <p>The two juniors ran a three-week workshop introducing underserved youth to a variety of STEM topics, including robotics, biology, and computer science. Their work was funded by <a>Projects for Peace</a>, a not-for-credit program that awards college students $10,000 to create and execute a project promoting peace and understanding anywhere in the world.&nbsp;</p> <p>Growing up in Delaware鈥檚 most violent city was the catalyst for their project: When Cotton and Xiao were in middle school, <a>teens were more likely to get shot in Wilmington</a> than in any other city in the United States and <a>in 2022 their hometown</a> had a higher per capita crime rate than 96 percent of U.S. cities.&nbsp;</p> <p>Now the two<span>&nbsp;</span>believe that educational opportunities can be a strong antidote to violence.&nbsp;</p> <p>During their workshop, held at Wilmington鈥檚 <a>Bellevue Community Center</a>, they guided the 12 participants to explore new ideas, equipment, and academic experiences鈥攁ll with the goal of sparking interests that might help keep students engaged in school long-term. They were less concerned with teaching specific skills than diversifying students鈥?educational exposure.&nbsp;</p> <p>鈥淲e wanted them to see that if they liked any of the things they did in our workshop, they can focus on these classes in high school and major in this field in college, and they could end up with a career they would like,鈥?says Cotton, who is majoring in robotics engineering.</p> <p>鈥淔or me, this was personal because in middle school I was in the same shoes as these kids,鈥?Xiao says, remembering that every day after school he would help out at the Chinese restaurant where his parents worked. 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 know what there was out in the world to do.鈥?lt;/p> <p>Everything changed for Xiao in seventh grade, when a teacher encouraged him to join the school鈥檚 robotics team. Now he鈥檚 double majoring in robotics engineering and electrical engineering and has served as vice president of <a>WPI鈥檚 Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers chapter</a>.</p> <p>鈥淭he fact that someone noticed me and believed that I could be good at this one thing is the reason I鈥檓 here at WPI today,鈥?he says. 鈥淢ost of the kids that we were teaching over the summer had never been part of a school accelerator program before and didn鈥檛 have the opportunity for any of these science-related project-based learning experiences.鈥?lt;span>&nbsp; &nbsp;</span></p> Thu, 12 Dec 2024 12:00:00 +0000 mlumsden /news/sharing-educational-opportunities-build-brighter-future Global School Professor Appointed to U.S. Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board /news/global-school-professor-appointed-us-nuclear-waste-technical-review-board <p><a>Seth Tuler</a>, associate professor in the <a>Department of Integrative and Global Studies</a> in The Global School at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, <a>has been appointed by President Biden</a> to serve as a member of the <a>U.S. Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board</a>.&nbsp;<span>&nbsp;</span></p> <p>The board is an independent federal agency that performs technical and scientific peer reviews of nuclear waste management and disposal activities in the United States. It also issues reports and recommendations to the U.S. Secretary of Energy and Congress regarding the U.S. Department of Energy鈥檚 activities concerning high-level radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel.</p> <p>Tuler joins a board of eleven members who serve part-time, each for four years. The president appoints candidates from a list of nominees submitted by the <a>National Academy of Sciences</a>.&nbsp;</p> <p>By law, nominees to the board must have established records of eminence in a field of science or engineering. Current board members have expertise in fields including nuclear science, hydrology, civil engineering, mechanical engineering, materials science, and environmental health sciences.</p> <p>鈥淚 am very excited and honored to be appointed by President Biden to the Board,鈥?said Tuler. 鈥?lt;span>What to do with high-level waste and spent nuclear fuel has been a serious conundrum for decades. The Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board can play an important role in the design of a program to safely manage spent nuclear fuel and high-level waste over centuries. As a social scientist I intend to help the Board contribute input and advice about how the federal government can craft programs that ensure opportunities for meaningful public and stakeholder involvement, address concerns about equity, and build public and stakeholder confidence in the program.鈥?amp;nbsp;</span></p> <p>Tuler has conducted research focused on the clean-up of sites in the U.S. nuclear weapons complex, nuclear waste management, and community climate change adaptation planning.&nbsp;</p> <p>He previously served as a member of the federal Advisory Committee for Energy-Related Epidemiologic Research, which advised the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on health studies associated with U.S. nuclear weapons facilities.&nbsp;</p> <p>He also served on several <a>National Academies鈥?lt;/a> committees, including the Committee on Transportation of Spent Nuclear Fuel and High-Level Radioactive Waste, the Standing Committee on Chemical Demilitarization, and the Committee on Alternatives for the Demilitarization of Conventional Munitions.</p> <p>He is a co-director of WPI鈥檚 <a><span>Boston Project Center</span></a> in the <a><span>Global Projects Program</span></a>, and co-director of the <a><span>Global Lab</span></a>.</p> Mon, 30 Sep 2024 12:00:00 +0000 jcain /news/global-school-professor-appointed-us-nuclear-waste-technical-review-board WPI Provides High School Students Biomedical Engineering Experience /news/wpi-provides-high-school-students-biomedical-engineering-experience <p><span>Getting an early start in a field can shape a person鈥檚 path in life. That鈥檚 the premise of&nbsp;</span><a><span>MeDHigh</span></a><span>, a Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) summer program that hosted seven high school students from Worcester for four weeks in June and July. During the free program, the students participated in a hands-on experience that explores the design and production of medical devices for global health and provides professional development opportunities. The program seeks to encourage high school students 鈥?including those from groups that are underrepresented in the life sciences industry 鈥?to consider STEM education and careers.&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span>鈥淭he goal of this program is to get high school students up to speed on professional development and give them a taste of what they could be working on in the biotechnology industry,鈥?said&nbsp;</span><a><span>Solomon Mensah</span></a><span>, assistant professor in the&nbsp;</span><a><span>Biomedical Engineering Department</span></a><span> and the director/founder of MeDHigh. Mensah, who grew up in Ghana and is affiliated with The Global School and WPI鈥檚&nbsp;</span><a><span>master of science in global health</span></a><span> program, said he was inspired to create this summer program to address, among other things, underrepresentation in the life sciences workforce. 鈥淚 came to biotechnology late in my academic career. I want people to find out as soon as possible that biotech and medical device development is a potential career path.鈥?lt;/span></p> <article> <div> <div> <img> <p> <img></p> </div> </div> <div> <p>(L-R) Associate Professor Dirk Albrecht, Assistant Professor Solomon Mensah</p> </div> </article> <p><span>During the program, students worked in teams to design a product to address real-world biomedical challenges. They used engineering principles and techniques and learned the product development process including needs finding, stakeholder analysis, and the creation of design specifications. Along the way, they were guided by Mensah; by&nbsp;</span><a><span>Dirk Albrecht</span></a><span>, associate professor of biomedical engineering and of biology and biotechnology; and technical director/co-founder of MeDHigh; by the program鈥檚 implementation director Priscilla Nkwantabisa; and by program facilitators Richmond Nyamekeh and Kayla Amegbe.</span></p> <p><span>The group was split into three teams. Each team created its own device and delivered a presentation about their work product on the final day of the summer program. The three projects aimed to address a significant need in under-resourced regions: a drone to deliver simple medical supplies to remote areas, a water filter to provide drinkable water for people with low incomes, and a solar-powered device to sterilize equipment for obstetrics and gynecology in places where electricity is unavailable.&nbsp;</span></p> <article> <div> <div> <img> <p> <img></p> </div> </div> <div> <p>Jessica Chijioke</p> </div> </article> <p><span>鈥淭his program has opened my eyes and helped me figure out ways to solve problems,鈥?said Jessica Chijioke, a junior at Worcester Technical High School, whose team used PVC pipe, a mesh plate, sand, pebbles, activated carbon, and ceramic balls to create a water filter, and used pH test strips to evaluate the system鈥檚 effectiveness. 鈥淚t was challenging to make the products work, and not just be for display.鈥?lt;/span></p> <p><span>For Darrien Hubert, a junior at Worcester Technical High School, the close collaboration with professors Mensah and Albrecht was especially valuable. They urged his team to consider transporting lighter materials with the drone to address the impact of weight on battery life. 鈥淭his program teaches you to keep an open mind and not to be stuck on your original idea, because then you won鈥檛 be open to brainstorming,鈥?said Hubert. 鈥淭he professors always try to help you in situations where you think you won鈥檛 be able to figure things out.鈥?lt;/span></p> <article> <div> <div> <img> <p> <img></p> </div> </div> <div> <p>Darrien Hubert</p> </div> </article> <p><span>MeDHigh gives students the chance to practice what they鈥檒l do when things don鈥檛 go as planned. 鈥淎 big part of engineering is handling failure and also troubleshooting,鈥?said Albrecht. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 how students learn and build better devices. But troubleshooting isn鈥檛 often taught or described鈥攊t鈥檚 a systematic process to turn 鈥業t doesn鈥檛 work鈥?into 鈥業 know </span><em><span>why</span></em><span> it didn鈥檛 work, and I know what to do next.鈥欌€?lt;/span></p> <p><span>Interspersed with days in the laboratory filled with wiring, plotting out product design, and testing configurations were days focused on building professional skills. The participants received assistance building resumes from the program鈥檚 leaders, heard from guest speakers in the biotech industry, and visited life sciences facilities including labs at WPI and Northeastern University. A goal of the program is to prepare students for internship opportunities next summer.</span></p> <article> <div> <div> <img> <p> <img></p> </div> </div> <div> <p>Andres Perez Luiz</p> </div> </article> <p><span>鈥淭hey鈥檙e teaching us professionalism and how you should present yourself and things you could use in the business world,鈥?said<strong>&nbsp;</strong>Andres Perez Luiz, a junior at Worcester Technical High School. 鈥淚鈥檓 going to take all of that away with me because it鈥檚 very useful for my future and in the world in general.鈥?lt;/span></p> <p><span>The curriculum for MeDHigh, now in its second year, was developed by Mensah and Albrecht, with support from Abigail Holmes 鈥?4 biomedical engineering (BS) and operations and supply chain analytics (MS). Student participants receive a stipend and all the supplies they need, and are provided breakfast and lunch daily when on campus.&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span>The program is funded by the&nbsp;</span><a><span>Massachusetts Life Sciences Center</span></a><span>, with WPI providing the program and lab spaces. 鈥淓ngaging Massachusetts high school students is a key strategy for the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center as we aim to develop students鈥?interests and skillsets, increase awareness of life sciences careers, and build a diverse STEM workforce pipeline,鈥?said Massachusetts Life Sciences Center Vice President of Education and Workforce Programs Ryan Mudawar. 鈥淲e are grateful to have WPI as a partner on this endeavor to continue to grow our Central Massachusetts life sciences cluster and extend our global leadership as the life sciences hub.鈥?lt;/span></p> <article> <div> <div> <img> <p> <img></p> </div> </div> <div> <p>Part of a student-designed solar-powered device to sterilize medical equipment</p> </div> </article> <p><span>Mensah said a survey of this year鈥檚 MeDHigh participants found the program raised students鈥?awareness of life sciences as a possible career path. 鈥淪ome of them were not even thinking about that when they entered the program,鈥?said Mensah. 鈥淚n just a few weeks, their mindset has completely changed.鈥?lt;/span></p> <p><span>Program facilitator Richmond Nyamekeh, a graduate student in operations and supply chain analytics, echoed the sentiment and said the students are considering how the career path could benefit others, 鈥淭hey're making something that could help in the medical field and for people in underdeveloped countries. They鈥檙e learning that when they grow up, they can make great impacts in the community and in the world at large.鈥?lt;/span></p> <article> <div> <div> <img> <p> <img></p> </div> </div> <div> <p>Douglas Amagyei</p> </div> </article> <p><span>After four weeks focused on developing a medical equipment sterilization device, Douglas Amagyei, a sophomore at Doherty Memorial High School, said he鈥檚 grateful for the hands-on nature of MeDHigh. 鈥淚've never had an experience before where I could work on and build my own projects. After this program, I鈥檓 thinking of going into biomedical engineering because I've seen what we are capable of doing and I realize this is life-saving work that could truly change lives and help people.鈥?lt;/span></p> Mon, 05 Aug 2024 12:00:00 +0000 jcain /news/wpi-provides-high-school-students-biomedical-engineering-experience