Preparing Students for the 21st Century Workforce: A Free, Virtual Workshop on Cross-disciplinary, Team- and Project-based Experiences

Tues. Aug. 4, 9:00am – 3:00pm  (held via Zoom)

 

Workshop Description:

Academic leaders from three NSF-funded programs (varying institutions), all sharing a common theme of cross-disciplinary, team- and project-based learning experiences, invite you to participate in a virtual workshop highlighting the importance of students’ leadership, teamwork, and interpersonal skills development.  In addition to learning about the structure, implementation, and outcomes of these three programs, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in multiple hands-on breakout sessions.   While individual participants are welcome, teams from institutions are highly encouraged to attend.  Attendees may select sessions that tie to their respective academic interests.

The workshop content is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant Nos.: 1712028, 1625429, 1712227, 1712215, 1712225, and 1712203.

Host Institutions:

  • Westminster College (PA)
  • Indiana University of Pennsylvania
  • State University of New York (Cortland, Plattsburgh, Oneonta, Oswego)

Workshop Outcomes:

Workshop participants will:

  • Learn about three different models for incorporating cross-disciplinary, team- and project-based experiences into undergraduate education and strategies for assessment
  • Participate in hands-on breakout teamwork that models team learning using key team skills
  • Develop cross-disciplinary, team- and project-based work for their classes with feedback from those who have experience with this pedagogy

Breakout Session Schedule

 

9:00-9:45

Opening Plenary Session (host institutions provide overview of their NSF projects and brief descriptions of their respective breakout sessions)

10:00-10:45

Breakout Session #1 (participants choose from list)*

11:00-11:45

Breakout Session #2 (participants choose from list)*

12:00-12:45

Optional Networking Lunch

1:00-1:45

Breakout Session #3 (participants choose from list)*

2:00-3:00

Closing Plenary Session (panel Q&A with host institutions featuring key take-aways)

*Breakout Sessions:  Participants can select up to three sessions.

Breakout Session Descriptions

Participants can select up to three breakout sessions from the below.  The associated handout contains a description of each breakout session.

  • Facilitating cross-disciplinary communication: a case study approach using immediate feedback-assessment techniques
  • Guiding team-based project work using a project management framework
  • Using general education requirements to teach basic teamwork and leadership skills
  • Making teamwork-intensive courses work: logistics that promote teams not just groups
  • Introducing your students to the basics of problem-solving and team-building
  • Integrating cross-disciplinary problem-solving into your course

 

(.pdf, 597K)

Westminster College: Environmental Project Management Academy

SUNY: The Common Problem Project

Indiana University of Pennsylvania: Professional Teamwork and Leadership Minor