In Episode 20 of the Smarter Campus Podcast, host Zach Kinzler sits down with Bobby Hodgkinson, a teaching professor of Aerospace Engineering at the University of Colorado Boulder, whose work spans unmanned vehicles, hurricane-sensor robotics, and now—AI-powered education.

What starts as a story about wind tunnels and biologically-inspired propulsion systems quickly evolves into a conversation about something just as dynamic: the transformation of teaching through AI. Bobby shares:

• His early work on underwater and aerial vehicles to measure hurricanes
• How experiential labs at CU Boulder help students bridge theory and practice
• Why AI made him completely rethink how technical writing is taught
• His vision for automated tutoring and AI tools that assess and support student understanding in real-time

Whether you’re in STEM education or just curious how AI is reshaping how we understand understanding, this episode is a must-listen.