Through Grants for the Advancement of Teaching Engineering, AE3 supports committed efforts at identifying and solving problems in the context of the undergraduate classroom experience for engineering students.

The GATE program supports initiatives that investigate what happens in the classroom, how it effects instruction and student learning, and how it can be enhanced.  GATE is an annual opportunity for COE faculty and instructors to apply for funding to support innovate curricular efforts.  GATE 2009 RFP.

 

GATE 2007-08 Projects

  • “An Immersive Introduction to Computer Science” (Lenny Pitt, Sam Kamin, Mehdi Harandi, Cinda Heeren, Lawrence Angrave).
  • “On-line Homework Assignments for TAM 212” (Dan Tortorelli).
  • “Improving Conceptual Understanding and Retention in Physics Among Under-Prepared and Mainstream Students” (Gary Gladding and Jose Mestre).
  •  “Virtual Bioimaging Laboratory for Undergraduate Education” (Bruce Wheeler and Rohit Bhargava).


GATE 2008-09 Projects

  • “The Undergraduate Research Lab at UIUC Computer Science Department,” (Lawrence Angrave, CS).
  • “Web-Based Self-Guided Tutorials to Increase Student Understanding of Basic Electronics and Electrical Measurements” (Ken Gentry, BioE).
  • “Improving Conceptual Understanding and Retention in Physics Among Under-Prepared and Mainstream Students” (Gary Gladding and Jose Mestre, PHYS).
  • “Evaluating Pedagogy” (Cinda Heeren, Craig Zilles, CS).
  • “Assessment of Student Teams in a Freshman Engineering Course” (Michael Loui, ECE).
  • “Peer Instruction Conceptually Focused Curriculum for TAM 212” (Dan Tortorelli, MechSE).


    GATE 2009-10 Projects
  • The Online Project Marketplace: Can we inspire undergraduates, especially freshmen, in collaborative, challenging and useful projects?. - (Lawrence Angrave, Brittany Smith, CS
  • Improving Conceptual Understanding and Retention in Physics Among Under-Prepared and Mainstream Students. - (Gary Gladding, Jose Mestre, PHYS)
  • Free Body Diagram Interactive Software. - (John Hart, CS, Dan Tortorelli, MechSE)


As part of the GATE program, AE3 collaborates with the Center for Teaching Excellence to sponsor meetings during the semester for all GATE award recipients. These meetings serve to connect PIs with others doing similar within the COE, and to enable an active, cohesive effort at instructional enhancement.



2008-09 GATE award recipients, from left: Cinda Heeren (CS), Craig Zilles (CS), Gary Gladding (PHYS), Michael Loui (ECE), Lawrence Angrave (CS), Ken Gentry (BioE), Jose Mestre (PHYS), Laura Hahn (CTE--facilitator). 
Not pictured : Dan Tortorelli (MechSE).

 

“It has been great to get involved with an innovative undergraduate teaching project, and to hear about other excellent projects."

“I have enjoyed having resources to do some major innovations and implementation in introductory large-enrollment courses.”

“The most tangible benefits of my project are improved retention of students and higher quality courses that improve the students’ problem solving.”