Learning Manufacturing: From Workforce Development Systems to Learning Experiences

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• Dr John Liu, MIT Department of Mechanical Engineering
• Friday 28 March 2025, 14:00-15:00
• Institute of Manufacturing (IfM), Seminar Room 3.

If you have a question about this talk, please contact Slawomir Tadeja.

Abstract:

The economy and national security of nations depend on its ability to innovate and produce. STEM skills are in the critical path to compete in this technologically-dependent, post-COVID world. Geographic shifts in supply chains, impending retirements, and the drive for advanced and sustainable production systems are leading to critical, unmet demand for engineers and technicians. Schools, companies, and regions need innovative solutions to improve and scale education and training.

In this talk, I’ll highlight the potential impact effective workforce solutions can have on individuals and companies. I will explore crafting immersive learning experiences within manufacturing contexts, with a focus on applying the learning sciences and engineering pedagogy to learn engineering analysis and psychomotor skills. I’ll conclude with a vision for transforming the STEM workforce by developing new approaches that connect learning and careers across all levels of the workforce.

Speaker’s bio:

Dr. John Liu is the Director and Principal Investigator of the MIT Learning Engineering and Practice (LEAP) Group, which investigates the intersection of learning technologies, STEM workforce and education, and digital learning and MOO Cs. He is a Lecturer in MIT ’s Mechanical Engineering Department and a Scientist in the MIT Digital Learning Lab. He serves education and workforce development efforts for MIT ’s new campus-wide Initiative for New Manufacturing (INM). He was the Director of the Principles of Manufacturing MicroMasters program, an online certificate program that has now enrolled over 160,000 learners across the globe. His research has received recognition from ASEE , ACM CHI , and IEEE DEMO Con. He is also the recipient of the MIT I S&T Infinite Mile Award and currently serves as an executive guest editor for Manufacturing Letters. Dr. Liu earned his B.S. in Applied Physics from Caltech and his S.M. and Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from MIT under an MIT -SUTD fellowship and NSF Graduate Research Fellowship.

This talk is part of the Cyber-Human Lab Seminar Series series.

This talk is included in these lists:

• Cyber-Human Lab Seminar Series
• Institute of Manufacturing (IfM), Seminar Room 3

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