#32 Fusing arts and science at EPFL: the Improgineering experience with Simon Henein & Simona Ferrar

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Join us in this episode as we explore groundbreaking educational initiatives at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), where the convergence of art and engineering is creating new pathways for creative learning. Led by embodied experts Simon Henein, performer and professor in microengineering, and Simona Ferrer, a choreographer, projects like 'Improgeneering' and 'Performance Lighthouse' are transforming academia by integrating improvisational arts into engineering. Discover how these programs are fostering innovation, enhancing teamwork, and establishing meaningful student-teacher connections. Experience the blend of creativity and collaboration that challenges conventional academia & education and understand its potential for personal and community growth and more future proof students!!

//TIMESTAMPS

00:00 The Embodied Educator Podcast 

00.48 Poem performance by Joëlle Valterio 

04:20 Meet the Team: Simon Henein and Simona Ferrer 

06:40 The Genesis of the Course

09:10 Improvisation Techniques in Engineering - “sensation of the empty page” Drawing from improvisation in real life Application of 

13:05 Course Structure and Student Experience

17:25 Reflective Diaries and Student Feedback

34:33 Grading Feedback Dynamics and Authorship

46:15 Practical Exercise: Exploring Peripheral Vision

53:20 Broadening Perception in Improvisation

57:10 Collective Creativity: Audience and Performer Dynamics

59:45 The power of observation to learning - the hollow illusion

01:04:00 The missing link in academia curricula - learnings 

01:09:20 Impact: Sense of deeper belonging 

01:13:20 Broader mission through Barefoot Academic Teaching 

01:16:35 Sustainable impact: “university meets the city”  

01:19:18 Support and embedding of improgineering in the city

01:22:00 ONE simple embodiment tip from Barefoot Academic Teaching

01:25:25 Suspending judgement & daydreaming 

01:29:35 The precise and powerful transformative learning process

//EMBODY PRACTICE MOMENT 

Tune in 46:15

Simon guides us into a Practical Exercise where we exploring looking beyond our gaze. Peripheral Vision

//CONNECT WITH LIZ

📱LinkeDIn: Liz @Liz Wientjes

📱Instagram: @Bodylizious

💌 [email protected]

//CONNECT WITH SIMON & SIMONA

LinkedIn: @Simon Henein

LinkedIn: @Simona Ferrar

//RESOURCES 

Webpage of the IMPROGINEERING course (“Collective creation: improvised arts and engineering”) 

https://www.epfl.ch/labs/instantlab/improgineering/

Watch the poem performance 

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Link to order the "Barefoot” book: 

R. Tau, L. Kloetzer, S. Henein (Eds.), 2024, Barefoot academic teaching: performing arts as a pedagogical tool in higher education, 204 pages,SCENARIO Book Series, Schibri-Verlag Publisher

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Webpage of the "Performing Arts as Pedagogical Tool in Higher Education" (ASCOPET) research project

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Webpage of the newly created "EPFL Performance Lighthouse”, led by Simona and Simon

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Articles and book chapters we published within the ASCOPET project:

L. Kloetzer, R. Tau, J. Valterio, S. Henein, “Performing arts as a tool for university education during a pandemic: Moving from an in vivo to an in vitro modality,” Qwerty, Open and Interdisciplinary Journal of Technology, Culture and Education, Volume 16, N2, 2021

L. Kloetzer, S. Henein, R. Tau, S. Martin, J. Valterio, “Teaching Through Performing Arts in Higher Education : Examples in Engineering and Psychology.” Scenario, Volume XIV, Issue 2 , 2020.

R. Tau, L. Kloetzer and S. Henein, “The Dimension of the Body in Higher Education : Matrix of Meanings in Students’ Diaries.” Human Arenas, 2021. doi : https ://doi.org/10.1007/s42087-021-00206-1

G. Feraud, S. Henein and R. Tormey , “The ICED 2020 (International Consortium for Educational Development) interdisciplinary panel discussion.” ETH Learning and Teaching Journal, Vol 2, No 2, 2020.

S. Martin, “Dancing with Real Bodies : Dance Improvisation for Engineering, Science, and Architecture Students.” Algorithmische und ästhetische Bildung : Ansätze für eine zukunftsorientierte und nachhaltige Netzwerkgesellschaft : Emerging Transdisciplinary Explorations for the Digital Age, Verlag Barbara Budrich, 2021.

L. Kloetzer, S. Henein and R. Tau, “Improgineering: former à la conception collective par l’improvisation”, Vulnérabilités et risques émergents-penser et agir ensemble pour transformer durablement, 56ème congrès SELF. 6-8 juillet 2022.

S. Martin, “Embodying Recognition: Dance Improvisation for Scientists”, Research Catalogue, 2023.

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Holomask illusion illustrated or wat this video if you like to create a holomask yourself (with your kids)