Dr. Lisa Benson, Professor of Engineering and Science Education,
Clemson University
Abstract: The Engineering and Science Education (ESED) department has a rich history rooted in advancing interdisciplinary teaching and research to support the development of future science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) professionals. Established with a vision to become a global leader in STEM education research and practice, the department focuses on integrating educational theory and methods within the context of STEM disciplines. ESED fosters an environment where students grow both academically and personally, ensuring they are well-rounded, thriving individuals prepared to tackle complex challenges in education and in STEM fields. By prioritizing
student-centered learning, collaboration, and diversity, the department cultivates an inclusive atmosphere that values the holistic development of students and faculty. ESED has become not only a leader in discipline-based education research, but also an academic home for over 50 current and past Ph.D. graduate students and postdocs, dozens of undergraduate researchers, and over 300 STEM graduate students who have completed or are currently in the ESED certificate program. In this seminar, I will describe my own journey into engineering education research and practice, chronicle the history of ESED at Clemson, and highlight the continuing contributions and achievements of the people who make up the living legacy of ESED.
Bio: Lisa Benson is a professor of Engineering and Science Education at Clemson University. Her research focuses on the interactions between engineering and science student motivation and their learning experiences. Her projects include studies of students’ sense of belonging, development of problem-solving skills, self-regulated learning practices, epistemic thinking, and use of navigational capital to achieve their goals. Dr. Benson is the past editor of the Journal of Engineering Education, an American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) Fellow, and the 2018 recipient of the Clemson University Class of ’39 Award for Faculty Excellence. She earned a B.S. in Bioengineering (1978) from the University of Vermont, and M.S. (1986) and Ph.D. (2002) in Bioengineering from Clemson University.
For more information, contact Paige Zoltewicz, pzoltew@clemson.edu
