TEACHx 2018

“I will use [engineering] improv as a standard to which I hold all other classes at Northwestern in terms of classroom cohesion and positive human interactions,” said Grace Goulson, a junior in Civil Engineering. Engineering Improv I & II, The Art of Allowing and The Art of Inspiration, teach undergraduate engineers the basic tenet of theatrical improv, “Yes, and….” This requires the inclusive skills of listening and collaboration. Engineers are critical problem solvers, often possessing a strong desire to be right, which can feed the impulse to say no, crushing participation. In Engineering Improv, students learn to focus their attention outward by saying “Yes, and…” to what their partners offer them so ideas can build and be explored in more depth. Our experiential curriculum is designed to create an inclusive environment where students practice exercises from the texts outside of class, write self-reflective essays on these exercises, and discuss these essays as a group. They also learn and apply improv skills on the stage, in their other classes, and throughout their broader lives. This interactive session will share lessons learned from designing and teaching Engineering Improv I & II and will teach easy and fun improv exercises for fostering inclusion in your classroom.