16–17 May 2002 Miniconference
The University of Wisconsin (UW) is part of the National Science Foundation–sponsored Foundation Coalition (FC). One of UW's FC projects is revitalization of curricula to help students learn better. To partially fulfill this goal, UW will host a miniconference to bring together some schools that have been experimenting with mechanical engineering curricula, particularly the energy stem. Many new ideas are surfacing in this area, and bringing together selected faculty from schools that have been involved in making changes will be valuable. Providing a forum for interchange of ideas that would then foster change on campuses is the goal of this conference. This miniconference will focus on two areas:

• Integration of courses across the energy curriculum (including the conservation approach) and
• Concept inventories for thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and heat transfer.

Participants can reserve rooms at the Best Western Inntowner (800.258.8321). The Inntowner has a van that can pick up participants from the airport (courtesy phone there). The van will also bring attendees to the UW campus.

Representatives from each school will briefly address the significant energy stem curricular issues that they are facing. Then the role that integration of courses and concept inventories can play in addressing these issues will be discussed. Some schools have had experience in one or both of these areas, and that experience will be utilized.

The following faculty members plan to attend:

Glenn Ellis (Smith College)
Don Evans (Arizona State University)
Pat Farrell (University of Wisconsin)
John Foss (Michigan State University)
Tony Jacobi (University of Illinois)
Deborah Kaminski (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute)
Sandy Klein (University of Wisconsin)
Jen Kushner (University of Wisconsin)
Tom Litzinger (Pennsylvania State University)
Jay Martin (University of Wisconsin)
Clark Midkiff (University of Alabama)
Ron Miller (Colorado School of Mines)
John Mitchell (University of Wisconsin)
Ty Newell (University of Illinois)
Don Richards (Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology)
William Schultz (University of Michigan)
Marc K. Smith (Georgia Institute of Technology)

For miniconference information, contact John Mitchell.