On this episode of DesignSafe Radio, we speak with Peter Mackenzie-Helnwein, SimCenter educator and research associate professor of engineering at the University of Washington. Mackenzie Helnwein and Frank McKenna, chief technology officer at the SimCenter, lead the popular SimCenter bootcamps. The courses teach programming techniques to natural hazards engineers—techniques such as automating data analysis and performing simulations.Accurate and detailed natural hazards simulations are crucial data for governments to make informed decisions about the security of their city or state.

The NHERI SimCenter has run summer programming bootcamps at its UC Berkeley headquarters for several years. During COVID-19, however, the team was forced to modify its teaching model. Peter Mackenzie-Helnwein discusses the changes —and how the online mode actually improved the learning experience. 

“We were able to do things together online that would not have been possible in person.”

- Peter Mackenzie-Helnwein

Links for more information on the NHERI SimCenter:

• NHERI SimCenter
• SimCenter’s New R2D Simulation Tool 
• Learn more about the SimCenter Bootcamp
• Follow the SimCenter on Facebook & Twitter

Connect with Peter Mackenzie-Helnwein:

• LinkedIn

Listen to the podcast on the DesignSafe Radio website, or subscribe via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher. 

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