Interview with Jay Bernheisel, Engineering - recipient of the Teaching and Learning Grant-Other Activities

1. Briefly describe what you did with your Teaching and Learning Grant.

I traveled to John Brown University, Oral Roberts University, and the University of Tulsa to explore aspects of the history and practice of engineering, especially as it relates to the Christian faith. I engaged in dialog with engineering and other interested faculty and presented talks to engineering undergraduates. One talk was on the people and discoveries from the 1600s that formed a large part of our current engineering curriculum. I attempted to show how the political and religious climate had a positive effect on “natural philosophers” such as Newton, Hooke, and other members of the Royal Society. The other talk was on the importance of aesthetics in the success or failure of a design. I encouraged students to continuously cultivate their own sense of aesthetic for use in criticism of others’ designs and incorporation into their own creations.

2. How was your teaching and your students’ learning enhanced by this grant?

I now have some new faculty contacts at three other schools, two of which are CCCU schools. My contacts at the University of Tulsa are involved with a sustainable energy mission organization started by a faculty member and a group of graduate students. We have shared ideas on enhancements we might offer to the traditional engineering curriculum including mission work and questions of engineering ethics with a Christian perspective. These brief, face-to-face meetings have helped me better define my niche as an engineering professor at a Christian university. The talks motivated me to spend time researching and organizing my thoughts on a historical perspective for engineering and the important overlap between engineering and art.

3. How did (or might) this grant award lead to other opportunities to further develop your teaching and enhance learning?

It is my hope that the people I met continue to share their thoughts and ideas for enhancements to our engineering curriculum. I have a verbal commitment from one of the founding members of the sustainable energy group to address our engineering undergraduates at our monthly seminar. Sometime in the near future I would like to implement a project modeled on that group’s work in China.