Empowering Educators

In this episode of Empowering Engineering Educators, host Joe Hanson sits down with Nefertiti Strickland, a cyber technology strategist, military officer, and adjunct professor, to explore how teamwork and collaboration are essential to success in STEM, engineering, and education.

With a career spanning military service, cybersecurity, business innovation, and education, Nefertiti has dedicated her work to bridging communities, fostering leadership, and advancing STEAM education. From her role as a K-12 Cybersecurity Career Ambassador with the National Institute of Standards and Technology to leading Teachers & Designed to Disrupt, she is reshaping how educators and students approach emerging technologies and teamwork.

Key Topics Covered:

🔹 How military leadership principles translate to teamwork in STEM and education

🔹 The importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in the future of engineering

🔹 How educators can integrate project-based learning and teamwork into their classrooms

🔹 Building diverse and inclusive teams for innovation and problem-solving

🔹 The role of AI, cybersecurity, and blockchain in shaping tomorrow’s engineers

Nefertiti’s unique perspective as a leader, educator, and innovator highlights how teamwork is not just a skill but a core pillar of success in engineering and education. She shares actionable strategies for educators to build collaborative learning environments, foster real-world problem-solving skills, and prepare students for the rapidly evolving landscape of STEM careers.

Brought to You by Siemens

This episode is presented by Siemens, your partner in transforming high school engineering education. Explore Siemens’ project-based curriculum, advanced engineering software, classroom management tools, and professional development resources—designed to empower the next generation of innovators.

📢 Discover tools to make your high school engineering classroom more effective:sw.siemens.com/ple

🎧 Tune in now to learn how teamwork can drive success in STEM education and beyond!

In this episode of Empowering Engineering Educators, host Joe Hanson dives deep into the world of college admissions and engineering education with two distinguished guests: Dean Whitney Soule, the first female Dean of Admissions at the University of Pennsylvania, and Professor Robert Ghrist, an expert in mathematics, electrical and systems engineering, and the Associate Dean of Undergraduate Education at Penn Engineering.

Together, they offer insider insights into what top-tier institutions look for in engineering applicants, how students can showcase their strengths and unique interests, and how educators can best prepare students for the highly competitive college admissions process.

Key Topics Covered:

🔹 What truly sets engineering applicants apart from other fields

🔹 How students can balance technical skills with creativity and collaboration

🔹 The evolving role of interdisciplinary studies and AI in engineering education

🔹 Why showcasing curiosity and adaptability is key in college applications

🔹 The truth about standardized testing and how different colleges use it

🔹 Practical tips for students to research and choose the right university fit

Dean Soule shares her perspective on how students should approach applications strategically, while Professor Ghrist discusses the importance of breadth and depth in an engineering career. Both provide valuable advice on how students can best position themselves for success—without falling into the trap of trying to fit a mold instead of being their authentic selves.

Brought to You by Siemens

This episode is presented by Siemens, your partner in transforming high school engineering education. Explore Siemens’ project-based curriculum, advanced engineering software, classroom management tools, and professional development resources—designed to empower the next generation of innovators.

📢 Discover tools to make your high school engineering classroom more effective: sw.siemens.com/ple

🎧 Tune in now for a behind-the-scenes look at college admissions and the future of engineering education!

On this episode of Empowering Engineering Educators, host Joe Hanson explores the intersection of engineering, sustainable development, and social impact with Iana Aranda, President of Engineering for Change and Senior Director of Engineering for Sustainable Development at ASME.

Iana leads a global network of over a million people dedicated to designing and delivering essential technologies that improve lives in underserved communities worldwide. With over a decade of experience in engineering, entrepreneurship, and social responsibility, she has played a pivotal role in bridging technology, business, and sustainable solutions to drive real-world change.

Key Topics Covered:

🔹 What is Engineering for Social Good? – How engineering can drive sustainable development and equity.

🔹 Technology for Underserved Communities – Case studies of real-world innovations making an impact.

🔹 Empowering Future Engineers – How educators can equip students with the tools to solve global challenges.

🔹 The Role of Entrepreneurship in Engineering – How innovation and business skills can amplify engineering impact.

🔹 The Human-Centered Approach to Problem-Solving – Why empathy and collaboration are crucial for designing effective solutions.

From clean water access to renewable energy solutions and life-changing medical technology, Iana shares incredible real-world examples of engineers tackling urgent global problems. She also provides practical resources for educators to integrate engineering for impact into their classrooms—expanding students’ perspectives beyond equations and prototypes to human-centered innovation.

Brought to You by Siemens

This episode is presented by Siemens, your partner in transforming high school engineering education. Explore Siemens’ project-based curriculum, advanced engineering software, classroom management tools, and professional development resources—designed to empower the next generation of innovators.

📢 Discover tools to make your high school engineering classroom more impactful: sw.siemens.com/ple

🎧 Tune in now to learn how engineering can be a force for positive change!

In this episode of Empowering Engineering Educators, host Joe Hanson sits down with Dr. Shawn Hercules, a biomedical scientist and passionate advocate for diversity in STEM. Born in Barbados, Dr. Hercules’ academic journey led him to McMaster University, where he earned a PhD in cancer biology and epidemiology, focusing on health disparities in breast cancer research.

What sets Dr. Hercules apart is his unapologetic embrace of identity as a Black, queer, non-binary scientist, communicator, and performer. His work goes beyond academia, advocating for equity, representation, and inclusion in science and engineering.

Key Topics Covered:

• Embracing Identity in STEM – The importance of showing up as your authentic self in science.

• How Diversity Fuels Innovation – The impact of diverse voices in scientific research, from breast cancer studies to clinical trials.

• Breaking Barriers in Education – How representation in the classroom can shape the next generation of engineers and scientists.

• Supporting Underrepresented Students – Practical steps educators can take to foster an inclusive environment.

• The Role of Social Media & Science Communication – Using digital platforms to build community and share knowledge.

Dr. Hercules shares personal stories of self-discovery, advocacy, and the power of mentorship, offering educators actionable strategies to support students from all backgrounds. Whether you’re an educator, student, or industry professional, this episode provides invaluable insights on creating a more inclusive future in STEM.

Brought to You By Siemens

This episode is presented by Siemens, your partner in transforming high school engineering education. Explore Siemens’ project-based curriculum, advanced engineering software, classroom management tools, and professional development resources—designed to empower the next generation of innovators.

📢 Learn more about making your high school engineering classroom more inclusive and effective: sw.siemens.com/ple

🎧 Listen now and be part of the movement toward a more diverse and equitable future in STEM!

In this episode of Empowering Engineering Educators, host Joe Hanson welcomes Terry Suffredini, a chemical engineering graduate from the University of Texas and a seasoned professional with a diverse career spanning environmental consulting, process design engineering, and life coaching. Terry shares her incredible journey of balancing a thriving engineering career with personal passions like dancing and parenting, while empowering others to find success and fulfillment in their professional lives.

Join us as we explore how Terry’s expertise can help inspire high school students and educators to navigate the dynamic world of engineering. With her unique insights as a life and career coach, Terry discusses practical strategies for breaking into engineering, adapting to change, and building long-term career satisfaction.

Key topics include:

Terry also provides actionable advice on how students can align their career choices with their passions, make informed decisions about education and training, and stand out in competitive job markets. Her inspiring personal story of pivoting from a non-science major to a thriving engineering career offers valuable lessons for students, educators, and professionals alike.

This episode is brought to you by Siemens, your trusted partner in transforming high school engineering education. Discover Siemens' cutting-edge tools, including project-based curriculums, advanced engineering software, classroom management solutions, and professional development resources—designed to empower the next generation of engineers.

Whether you're an educator, a student, or someone curious about the vast opportunities in engineering, this episode provides a wealth of knowledge to help you navigate and thrive in this ever-evolving field. Don’t miss Terry Suffredini’s expert guidance on how to foster confidence, adaptability, and growth in the world of engineering!

To learn how to make your high school engineering classroom even more effective, check out sw.siemens.com/ple

In this episode of Empowering Engineering Educators, host Joe Hanson dives deep into the transformative power of Project-Based Learning (PBL) in high school engineering education with special guest Dr. Amy Baeder, an education consultant and Director of the Project-Based Learning Network. Dr. Baeder shares her expertise on how PBL can revolutionize STEM classrooms by bridging the gap between academic learning and real-world engineering challenges.

Discover how PBL fosters student engagement, curiosity, and problem-solving skills by blending core STEM concepts with hands-on projects. Dr. Baeder unpacks the difference between traditional projects and true project-based learning, offering practical strategies for educators to implement meaningful and standards-aligned PBL units. From creating authentic partnerships with local communities to integrating phenomenon-based instruction, this episode is packed with actionable insights to elevate classroom experiences.

Key topics include:

This episode is brought to you by Siemens, the leading provider of innovative educational resources for engineering classrooms, including project-based curriculums, advanced design software, and professional development tools.

Whether you're a high school teacher, STEM coordinator, or education enthusiast, this episode will inspire you to rethink how engineering is taught and empower the next generation of problem solvers. Tune in to learn how project-based learning can make STEM education more engaging, impactful, and future-ready!

For more information on Siemens and the high school engineering classroom, check out sw.siemens.com/ple

Join host Joe Hanson and MIT Associate Professor Amos Winter for an enlightening exploration of the engineering design process and innovation in emerging markets. In this episode of Empowering Engineering Educators, discover how imagination meets practical problem-solving through Winter's groundbreaking work, including the development of the Leveraged Freedom Chair (LFC) - an innovative wheelchair design for challenging terrain in developing regions.

Professor Winter shares invaluable insights on:

Learn how Winter's team transformed traditional wheelchair design by working directly with users in Tanzania, creating an affordable, repairable solution for rural mobility. The episode highlights the critical role of understanding user needs, embracing failure as a learning tool, and the power of simplicity in engineering solutions.

Perfect for engineering educators, students, and anyone interested in innovation, design thinking, and global engineering solutions. Supported by Siemens' Engineering Pathway for High School, this episode demonstrates how combining creativity with technical expertise can solve real-world challenges and empower the next generation of engineers.

Learn more at : sw.siemens.com/ple

In this thought-provoking episode, host Joe Hanson sits down with guest, science educator Leonisa Aridzzone, to explore the critical importance of engineering in today's rapidly evolving world. They dive into why engineering is more relevant than ever and discuss the pressing need for skilled engineers across various industries.

Aridzzone shares insights on:

Throughout the conversation, Hanson and Aridzzone probably emphasize the exciting opportunities available in engineering and discuss strategies for inspiring the next generation of engineers. They may also touch on the ethical responsibilities of engineers in shaping our future.

This episode aims to empower engineering educators by highlighting the significance of their role in nurturing future innovators and problem-solvers, ultimately answering the question: "Why Engineering and Why Now?"

For more great resources to make Engineering Education easier for the high school classroom, check out sw.siemens.com/ple