Biography

How do we engineer solutions when “normal” no longer exists? In this course, you will use a Design Thinking lens to explore technologies shaped by climate change, from the systems that accelerate it to the innovations that mitigate its impact. We will examine current energy production technologies, approaches to large-scale implementation, and the value of looking to nature for design inspiration. Through partnerships with History, English, and Biology, we will deepen our learning through interdisciplinary perspectives and explore how scientific, cultural, and ecological narratives intertwine.

In addition to numerous other takeaways, you will gain a working understanding of how the U.S. energy grid functions and how collective action challenges shape our responses to crises. Drawing on biomimicry, you will design a technological intervention that targets a real component of the climate system. Throughout the course, you will balance conceptual exploration with creative, hands-on engineering projects that build both mindset and technical skill. By semester’s end, you will be equipped to imagine and prototype innovative solutions for an unpredictable future.