Scaffolding Success: Dr. Koloutsou-Vakakis on Collaboration, Coding, and Curriculum Reform

Scaffolding Success: Dr. Koloutsou-Vakakis on Collaboration, Coding, and Curriculum Reform

Dr. Sotiria Koloutsou-Vakakis, Senior Lecturer and Research Scientist in Civil and Environmental Engineering, joins SIIP and Share to discuss her SIIP project focused on integrating computational thinking across the civil and environmental engineering curriculum. She shares how her team introduced tools like R and Python into 200- and 300-level courses, redesigned assignments to reflect real-world engineering challenges, and connected coding to societal impact. The episode highlights the role of community-driven curriculum design, shifting student perceptions of coding, and how embedding computation into engineering education better prepares students to solve complex, real-world problems.  Guest(s):   Sotiria Koloutsou-Vakakis Link:https://cee.illinois.edu/directory/profile/sotiriak Host: Holly Golecki  Engineered by: Piper Pascarella   Produced by: Natalie Taylor and Evelyn Ochoa Arias      Continue the conversation!     Follow us on socials!      Visit the SIIP and Share website [https://publish.illinois.edu/siipandshare/]  ⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/siipandsharepodcast/]@SIIPandSharePodcast [https://www.instagram.com/siipandsharepodcast/]⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/siipandsharepodcast/] on Instagram  ⁠ [https://x.com/SIIPandSharePod]@SIIPandSharePod [https://x.com/SIIPandSharePod]⁠ [https://x.com/SIIPandSharePod] on X  Follow us on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/siip-share-podcast/posts/?feedView=all]

Early Research and Real-World Impact: Marci Pool on Cancer Scholars, Mentorship, and Transforming Engineering Education

Dr. Marci Pool, Assistant Director of Education at the Cancer Center at Illinois and Teaching Associate Professor in Bioengineering, joins SIIP and Share to discuss the Cancer Scholars program, a long-running SIIP initiative designed to engage students in cancer research from their first year. She shares how the program integrates research, mentorship, and interdisciplinary coursework to build students’ skills in experimental design, science communication, and innovation. The episode highlights the importance of early research exposure, supporting first-generation students, and creating pathways that connect engineering education to real-world healthcare challenges and long-term impact in cancer research. Guest(s):  Marci Pool Link: https://cancer.illinois.edu/people/marcia-marci-pool/ Host: Blake Johnson Engineered by: Piper Pascarella  Produced by: Natalie Taylor and Evelyn Ochoa Arias    Continue the conversation!  Follow us on socials!    Visit the SIIP and Share website [https://publish.illinois.edu/siipandshare/] ⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/siipandsharepodcast/]@SIIPandSharePodcast [https://www.instagram.com/siipandsharepodcast/]⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/siipandsharepodcast/] on Instagram ⁠ [https://x.com/SIIPandSharePod]@SIIPandSharePod [https://x.com/SIIPandSharePod]⁠ [https://x.com/SIIPandSharePod] on X Follow us on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/siip-share-podcast/posts/?feedView=all]

Teaching at Scale with AI: Abdu Alawini on Generative AI, Personalized Feedback, and the Future of Engineering Education

Dr. Abdu Alawini, Teaching Associate Professor in the Siebel School of Computing and Data Science, joins SIIP and Share to discuss his SIIP project exploring generative AI in engineering and computing education. He shares how AI-powered tools, such as personalized feedback systems, knowledge graphs, and Illinois Chat, support learning at scale while preserving meaningful instructor -student connections. The episode highlights ethical considerations, curriculum redesign, and how AI can help prepare students for an evolving, technology-driven workforce. Guest(s):  Abdu Alawini Link: https://siebelschool.illinois.edu/about/people/faculty/alawini [https://ece.illinois.edu/about/directory/faculty/ywchen]  Host: Holly Golecki Engineered by: Piper Pascarella   Produced by: Natalie Taylor and Evelyn Ochoa Arias      Continue the conversation!     Follow us on socials!      Visit the SIIP and Share website [https://publish.illinois.edu/siipandshare/]  ⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/siipandsharepodcast/]@SIIPandSharePodcast [https://www.instagram.com/siipandsharepodcast/]⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/siipandsharepodcast/] on Instagram  ⁠ [https://x.com/SIIPandSharePod]@SIIPandSharePod [https://x.com/SIIPandSharePod]⁠ [https://x.com/SIIPandSharePod] on X  Follow us on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/siip-share-podcast/posts/?feedView=all]

Writing to Learn in Engineering: John Popovics on Technical Communication and Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration

Dr. John Popovics, Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, joins SIIP and Share to discuss his SIIP work on improving technical writing in engineering education. He shares how collaboration between engineering and writing studies faculty led to practical strategies for teaching communication, supporting TAs, and helping students learn through writing. The episode highlights faculty development, scalable instructional change, and how SIIP projects support education research.   Guest(s):   John Popovics Link: https://cee.illinois.edu/directory/profile/johnpop Host: Jenny Amos Engineered by: Piper Pascarella   Produced by: Natalie Taylor and Evelyn Ochoa Arias      Continue the conversation!  Follow us on socials!     Visit the ⁠⁠SIIP and Share website⁠⁠ [https://publish.illinois.edu/siipandshare/]  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/siipandsharepodcast/]⁠⁠@SIIPandSharePodcast⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/siipandsharepodcast/]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/siipandsharepodcast/] on Instagram  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://x.com/SIIPandSharePod]⁠⁠@SIIPandSharePod⁠⁠ [https://x.com/SIIPandSharePod]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://x.com/SIIPandSharePod] on X  Follow us on ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/siip-share-podcast/posts/?feedView=all]

Rethinking Exams at Scale: Craig Zilles on Computer-Based Testing, Assessment, and Academic Integrity

Dr. Craig Zilles, Professor of Computer Science, joins SIIP and Share to discuss the development and impact of Illinois’s Computer-Based Testing Facility (CBTF), which began as a SIIP project. He shares how CBTF enables flexible, secure, and scalable assessment for large-enrollment courses, supports frequent low-stakes testing, and addresses academic integrity challenges in the age of generative AI. The episode highlights how thoughtful assessment design can enhance student learning, alleviate anxiety, and transform instructional practices.     Guest(s):   Craig Zilles Link: ⁠https://siebelschool.illinois.edu/about/people/faculty/zilles⁠ [https://ece.illinois.edu/about/directory/faculty/ywchen]   Host: Blake Johnson  Engineered by: Piper Pascarella   Produced by: Natalie Taylor and Evelyn Ochoa Arias      Continue the conversation!     Follow us on socials!     Visit the ⁠SIIP and Share website⁠ [https://publish.illinois.edu/siipandshare/]  ⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/siipandsharepodcast/]⁠@SIIPandSharePodcast⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/siipandsharepodcast/]⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/siipandsharepodcast/] on Instagram  ⁠⁠⁠ [https://x.com/SIIPandSharePod]⁠@SIIPandSharePod⁠ [https://x.com/SIIPandSharePod]⁠⁠⁠ [https://x.com/SIIPandSharePod] on X  Follow us on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/siip-share-podcast/posts/?feedView=all]