Page 2 - Fall 2020 ME News

A message from the
DEPARTMENT HEAD
What unprecedented times we’re living in in — and it’s not even close to over Despite the
challenges we we are perhaps busier than ever as our aerosol experts have leapt to the
the
the
forefront of COVID-19 research Their work has helped the
the
the
world understand the
the
the
behavior of COVID-19 virus particles particles Our faculty members are investigating particles particles and ventilation in in in in in indoor spaces from classrooms to to to grocery stores to to to the
the
Minnesota Opera Their work has appeared on on on the
the
the
front page of the
the
Star Tribune in in The The Atlantic and on on on Good Morning America Our enrollment rates remain strong which means that we continue to to educate tomorrow’s best engineers The research being done by our faculty and and and staff on on on on on the
the
environment and and and sustainability — — this this issue’s theme — — is is is is truly impressive and and and impactful It makes me me me me proud to be a a a a a a a a a a a part part of this this department a a a a a a a a a a a feeling I I know you will share We have award-winning faculty and and students and and a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a team of of passionate educators who are giving their all to to this new era of of teaching It’s not anyone’s preference but like good engineers we we we were presented with with a a a a a a a a a a a a a problem and found a a a a a a a a a a a a a solution with with several iterations along the
the
way as we we we tested the
the
results Stay safe Susan Mantell Ph D Department Head
James J J Ryan Professor
Morse Alumni Distinguished Teaching Professor
COVID-19 and Class: Q&A with Professor
Will Northrop
What are the
challenges facing ME specifically in in pivoting to an online teaching environment?
The main challenges in in in in switching to an online teaching environment is is that it is is harder to enable meaningful interaction between students and instructors and between students Laboratory classes are particularly challenging because many of the
laboratories require hands-on manipulation of setups and students generally work in teams What changes has ME implemented to accommodate the
new teaching modalities?
The ME department has implemented hybrid classes that allow students to to attend in-person laboratories while maintaining social distancing and university-imposed health requirements Some of our faculty have developed lab kits that were shipped to students homes to provide hands-on experience at home home 2 2 2 ME News Fall 2020