Olin College of Engineering - Fall Student Expo - Needham, MA - December 21, 2015

2 years ago...

I met 4 female engineering students at the 2013 NYC Maker Faire.  I was struck by their ability to explain the complexities of laser engraving/cutting in a non-technical matter.  Via the infinite memory of google I was able to find this link on that project:  http://www.ingridhagenkeith.com/advanced-prototyping-with-a-laser-cutter-research.html

I have recruited many people for Olin since then, and even read the book "A Whole New Engineer" by Mark Somerville.

I hope to attend their workshop in June, "Designing for Student Engagement".  So I jumped at the chance to visit their end of semester Expo. Olin describes the event:

Olin’s Fall Expo is an end-of-semester event in which all Olin students participate. It is casual and open to the public. The event is a celebration of student learning and achievement, and the presence of guests is an important component of this event.

...would I be disappointed?  I hoped for a maker faire type experience.

I trekked to Needham and even found an AirBnB within walking distance.  I arrived early and watched as the first round of expo participants set up their displays.  I explored the Academic Center, finding this interesting organization description on the wall:

Before the event started I found this really cool display involving my favorite animal, PENGUINS!

I knew from this display (not part of the expo) that I would not be disappointed!

 A low cost DIY color sensor that I believe my students might use for their capstone.

 Team Dragon Cat was pretty popular.  You had to use wings to blow balls around a 3d course.

 This students project reminded me of work that Peter F. has done with photo luminescence...

 This picture is a poorly framed one of Peter Antognoni, Instructor of Machining (I had a great conversation with him and his co-instructor, I think Bruce was his first name).  The housing shown is from a really cool sounding project called a Tesla engine (I think?).  Hopefully Phil knows how to make one at make717!

This was a real attention grabber as well.  I love seeing different CNC solutions to putting ink on paper.

One of my favorite interactions of the day was with this student showing how he and his team (class?) were helping a struggling city establish a space to help people.  They found refraining from using "makerspace" very helpful...

 This servo driven marionette was very refined and well done.  I enjoyed discussing the technical attributes with the team of women engineers from a variety of backgrounds.  They also offered helpful advice for me as I embark on instructing my students capstone class.  Evidence of empathy that would be rare at most exhibit type events (including Maker Faires).

Kim Dagen Ed.D., my sister in law would have appreciated this analysis.  Showing how those with disabilities are much more likely to go from our education system into jail...what are we doing wrong?

He is holding a pufferfish!

The previous 2 pictures are of my FAVORITE!  Here is a writeup on the project (another visitor was commenting on how great the backstory was):

When Pufferfish Fly! It's the year 2015. Pufferfish everywhere are losing their lives and homes to fishermen and pollution. The only way to save them is by launching them to the other side of the world with a massive cannon (because plane tickets are expensive, yo). Enter you, who is destined to save these poor adorable aquatic spiky balls from extinction. Step on the launch pad and embrace your purpose in life.  

These guys were showing off an awesome concept, 3d printed QR codes that link to pictures you have taken.  On the reverse side of QR code is a topo 3d print of the location of your photo.  Developed in a hackathon weekend!  Kudos.

I somehow missed this termite tunnel project, looks like a great interactive exhibit.

I saw this book outside of the library, evidence that they have similar influences to Enrica, one of my college's academic counselors.

For more info on each of these and the many more exhibits see this PDF link.

As I filled out the survey after spending 5 hours with the roughly 300 Olin students I thought about what I had just experienced, a student body that is different than most from the millennial generation.

How so?

• more empathetic
• more articulate than typical technical people
• more innovative
• more engaged
• more passionate

Educators take note, something truly different and way better than accepted best practices is happening at Olin!