Challenge students to break complex technical systems to force deep comprehension
Dr. David Ruth · Ep 86: How to Teach STEM for the 21st Century with Dr. David Ruth · Joe Lonsdale · Apr 25, 2024 · at 28:48
Dr. David Ruth, Dean of STEM at UATX and former U.S. Navy submarine officer, explains how he taught nuclear reactor safety systems by asking trainees how to beat them.
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“Another way to teach it is you challenge them to beat it. So see if you can. No, so not have them do it, but. But give them the challenge. How would you beat that system? If our goal were to do- How would you blow up the nuclear? To be very clear to all of your audience, nobody out there is trying to blow up our reactors, but boy, you challenge a young, sharp kid. How would you break it? Because what they have to do is they actually have to know the system. It's just like in warfighting, the way you beat your enemy is you understand how he operates.”
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