Humanities educators gather at Trine

Trine University’s Department of Humanities and Communication hosted its second annual Humanities Educators in STEM Environments workshop and networking event Tuesday, May 15, at various locations throughout Taylor Hall of Humanities.

Twenty-four faculty representing Trine University, Adrian College, Indiana Tech, the University of Findlay and Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology participated in the event. The day included presentations by faculty from Trine, the University of Findlay and Rose-Hulman.

Individual breakout sessions included:

• tips for incorporating STEM topics into world language programs;
• a roundtable discussion of ethics in medical imaging;
• a discussion of a project at Trine where engineering students explored themes in Frankenstein by producing an autonomous robot;
• a discussion of better ways to implement new humanities experiences at STEM schools;
• using art history and design to enhance STEM skills; and
• strategies to allow faculty in STEM and other disciplines to use writing to meet course outcomes and goals.

The day ended with a roundtable discussion on “The State of the Humanities at STEM-Focused Institutions.”

“This event is a great opportunity for faculty from many different disciplines to gather and talk about teaching and to exchange ideas and look for ways to bring exciting and unique projects and experiences into their classrooms to better engage students,” said Alison Witte, Ph.D., associate professor in Trine’s Department of Humanities and Communication, and organizer of the event.

“I was pleased to see the excitement from STEM and humanities faculty alike about how we can partner together to ensure students get a broad-based education,” said Sarah Young, Ph.D., assistant professor in Trine’s Department of Humanities and Communication. “It was great to talk with colleagues from other institutions about all the ways the humanities remain relevant, even in places that tend to be more STEM-focused.”

Photo: Ana Boman, Spanish lecturer in Trine University’s Department of Humanities and Communication, presents a session on “STEM in World Languages” at the second annual Humanities Educators in STEM Environments workshop and networking event on the Trine University campus.