USU College of Engineering Lights up Salt Palace at Education Conference
USU's College of Engineering sponsored ASEE’s 125th annual conference and expo in Salt Lake City.
Utah State University was center stage at the Salt Palace Convention Center in late June during a major event for engineering education.
Educators from around the world came to Salt Lake City for the 125th annual conference and expo of the American Society for Engineering Education, or ASEE. The event drew professors, deans, university administrators and industry representatives together to discuss all things engineering education. USU’s College of Engineering sponsored the event which was attended by about 4,000 people. Institutions including Purdue University, University of Michigan, National Science Foundation and Texas Instruments were among the attendees.
“This was a tremendously successful event for Utah State University and the College of Engineering,” said Jagath Kaluarachchi, dean of USU’s College of Engineering. “We have been a leading institution in engineering education for years, and this event showed the world that we’re committed to moving that legacy forward.”
ASEE attracts professors and researchers from multiple disciplines including engineering education. This emerging field has been in the global spotlight in recent years. As the demand for engineers increases, so does the demand for improved engineering education.
USU was one of the first in the nation to develop an academic department dedicated to engineering education, and today it leads the conversation about how to recruit more engineering students, how to improve their classroom experience and how to ensure they graduate prepared for the modern engineering workforce.
Faculty and researchers in USU’s Engineering Education department specialize in learning and teaching theory, K–12 STEM education, technology-enhanced learning and other areas. Multiple faculty members presented papers at the conference, and multiple students presented posters or papers including PhD student Laura Gelles who authored an award-winning study.
Inside the expo center, all eyes were on USU engineering. The college marked its presence with a 12-foot-tall replica of Old Main Tower complete with brick façade and blue-lighted ‘A.’ The College showcased its six academic departments and world-renowned facilities including the Utah Water Research Lab and brand new Electric Vehicle and Roadway Research Facility and Test Track.
Writer/contact: Matt Jensen, 435-797-8170, matthew.jensen@usu.edu
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