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2025 Launch Conference

Transforming Engineering Education

January 10-12 | University of Maryland College Park

Thank you for making our inaugural conference a huge success. 
We so appreciate every member of our e4usa community who took the time to attend our launch conference. Ideas were shared, our community is stronger than ever, and the future is bright. We are so excited to continue our growth in partnership with you. Please keep an eye out for post-conference communications and check out the After you've departed section below for feedback & reimbursement information. We will see you again soon!

You're now part of a transformative moment in engineering education. Over these three days, we'll strengthen our community, enhance our curriculum, and chart the course for e4usa's future impact. Bookmark this page as your go-to resource before, during, and immediately following the conclusion of the event.

Need help or have questions? Contact info@e4usa.org.

Quickly navigate to a specific section

  1. Key Information
  2. Locations & Venues
  3. Schedule
  4. Travel
  5. Sponsors

Key Information

Tell us how it went

Please complete the Launch Conference Feedback Form by Friday, January 17.

Help Us Strengthen Our Community

Share your feedback through the Community Building Survey.

Ensure we can reimburse you (eligible attendees)

Expenses must be submitted within 10 days of trip completion (January 22, 2025). e4usa will initiate the documents needed to be completed immediately following the conference. If you are receiving support through e4usa, you will not receive reimbursement unless you have provided your W-9 to e4usa and completed your expense documents.

Plan your day

Parking information

Attendees arriving Friday should park at The Hotel. Parking at The Hotel is $12 per day for hotel guests and $24 per day for non-guests. UMD's home basketball game on Friday evening at Xfinity Center may cause increased traffic in the area.

Parking is free on Saturday and Sunday. It is recommended that you park in Lot 9B, Lot 11B, or the Xfinity Center Lot. White signs in the parking lots detail restrictions.

Shuttle Service

We will provide shuttles to and from The Hotel at the University of Maryland for your convenience. Please note that the shuttles listed below are the only transportation options available between The Hotel and Clark Hall for the duration of the conference. The distance between venues is short and you may walk or arrange alternate transportation if you prefer.

Friday, January 10th

  • First Pickup from The Hotel at 5:45pm; Drop off at Clark Hall. Second pickup after that.
  • First Pickup from Clark Hall at 8:15pm; Drop off at The Hotel. Second pickup after that.

Saturday, January 11th

  • First Pickup from The Hotel at 7:45am; Drop off at Clark Hall. Second pickup after that.
  • First Pickup from Clark Hall at 7:15pm; Drop off at The Hotel. Second pickup after that.

Sunday, January 12th

  • First Pickup from The Hotel at 7:45am; Drop off at Clark Hall. Second pickup after that.
  • First Pickup from Clark Hall at 1:15pm; Drop off at The Hotel. Second pickup after that.

Tasks to complete

Good to know

  • The dress code for our conference is smart casual – more polished than casual but less formal than business attire. Consider donning all of your e4usa gear, including polos, scarves, and pins!
  • Bring your own device – we encourage you to bring your own laptop or tablet to engage in our hands-on sessions and workshops. We will have a few spare laptops on hand for those that need them.
  • The Hotel and A. James Clark Hall are within 5-10 minutes walking distance of each other, however we will have transportation for those who would prefer or require it.

Conference highlights

  • Friday: Opening Visionary Reunion Dinner
  • Saturday: Full day of workshops, including e4usa showcase and teaching sessions
  • Sunday: Curriculum transition workshops and action planning

Locations & Venues

Events will be held at The Hotel at the University of Maryland and within the Engineering annex of the University of Maryland (UMD) campus. Here are the key venues and maps to each, along with walking directions between them. If you are staying at The Hotel, you will be perfectly situated within walking distance to all of our venues (and have a gorgeous view of UMD's campus).

Shuttle Service will be provided between venues, see details in the While you're here tab in the Key Information section.

Venue Address Wayfinding Walking Directions
The Hotel at the University of Maryland 7777 Baltimore Avenue, College Park, MD 20740 From A. James Clark Hall
A. James Clark Hall 8278 Paint Branch Drive, College Park, MD 20742 From The Hotel at the University of Maryland

Schedule

Friday January 10th, 2025

Time Event / Session Location / Venue
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. ET

e4usa Visionary Reunion Cocktails & Dinner for All

Looking Back and Looking Forward Networking		 Zupnik Forum (1101) in A. James Clark Hall.

Saturday January 11th, 2025

Time Event / Session Location / Venue
8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. ET

Registration

Breakfast Beverages & Bites		 Zupnik Forum (1101) in A. James Clark Hall.
8:00 a.m. – 9:15 a.m. ET

Welcome and Keynote

Our keynote speaker is Dr. Shruti Ghanekar, a research engineer with the Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI), part of Underwriters Laboratories (UL) Research Institutes.		 Zupnik Forum (1101) in A. James Clark Hall.
9:15 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. ET

Impact by Design: e4usa Showcase

At this mid-point of the academic year, we always take time to celebrate YOU and your students! The Impact by Design: e4usa Showcase will highlight your impact as educators and the efforts of your students!		 Leidos Innovation Labs (first floor glass-enclosed space) in A. James Clark Hall.
10:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. ET

Choose your Adventure: Interactive Sessions I

  • Engineering for All: An Intro to e4usa and a Launchpad for Change: Prospective educators and administrators are invited to learn about e4usa and its mission.
  • Liaison Workshop: e4usa Liaisons will join together to further support educators and support their planning for Units 3 & 4, 5 & 6, or 7.
  • Collaborative e4usa Teacher Planning Period: Units 3 and 4: All e4usa educators will work together to plan for Units 3 & 4 projects.
 Engineering for All: An Intro to e4usa and a Launchpad for Change:
Room 2119 in A. James Clark Hall.
Liaison Workshop:
Room 2132 in A. James Clark Hall.
Collaborative e4usa Teacher Planning Period: Units 3 and 4:
Zupnik Forum (1101) in A. James Clark Hall.
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. ET

Lunch

Connect with e4usa Coaches and Team Networking		 Zupnik Forum (1101) in A. James Clark Hall.
1:10 p.m. – 1:55 p.m. ET

Interactive Session II

Our Mission: For US All: All attendees will work to continue to support the mission of e4usa. Taking the perspective of students, attendees will identify ways to remove barriers and increase inclusion and belonging for students in engineering education.		 Zupnik Forum (1101) in A. James Clark Hall.
2:00 p.m. – 2:50 p.m. ET

Choose your Adventure: Interactive Sessions III

  • Assessment in Action: Leveraging MyDesign and the End-of- Course Assessment: Assessing engineering learning means balancing students' individual growth even in a collective design environment. Attend this session to learn how e4usa's assessment strategies support educators to asses their student learning while teaching students communication skills.
  • Reflection Lens: e4usa Teacher Progress Snapshots & Reflections (TPSR): Take time to reflect on the first half of the year and complete Snapshots for the TPSR.
  • Growing Skills for Teachers and Students: CAD in e4usa: Participants will get time to plan CAD integration for units 3 and 4. Session facilitators will review skills needed to pass the OnShape Associate Exam.
  • e4usa Extensions: Experienced e4usa Teachers Co-strategize: Experienced e4usa educators are invited to collaborate around topics like e4usa beyond the legacy course, professional presentations, and opportunities for local and national leadership.
 Assessment in Action: Leveraging MyDesign and the End-of- Course Assessment:
Room 2121 in A. James Clark Hall.
Reflection Lens: e4usa Teacher Progress Snapshots & Reflections (TPSR):
Room 2132 in A. James Clark Hall.
Growing Skills for Teachers and Students: CAD in e4usa:
Room 2119 in A. James Clark Hall.
e4usa Extensions: Experienced e4usa Teachers Co-strategize:
Room 2134 in A. James Clark Hall.
2:50 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. ET

Light Afternoon Snacks and Beverages

 Zupnik Forum (1101) in A. James Clark Hall.
3:00 p.m. – 3:50 p.m. ET

Choose your Adventure: Interactive Sessions IV

  • Blueprint for Writing: Strategies for Engineering Students: Writing in engineering plays an important role in the e4usa curriculum, and our students' skills and needs vary greatly. Participants in this session will get guidance on how to better support their students, along with practical tips for implementing the writing process.
  • Engineering Access: Universal Design for Learning Toolbox: Explore the UDL Guidelines 3.0 and identify ways to reduce barriers, sustain and honor learners' identities, and maximize learning in e4usa.
  • Project Management Pains?: Project Management Strategies for both Teachers and Students: Project management can make or break a smoothly run design cycle. Learn project management strategies and opportunities for PM Certification from e4usa's own Chief Program Officer, Abubakr Hamid.
 Blueprint for Writing: Strategies for Engineering Students:
Room 2119 in A. James Clark Hall.
Engineering Access: Universal Design for Learning Toolbox:
Room 2134 in A. James Clark Hall.
Project Management Pains?: Project Management Strategies for both Teachers and Students:
Room 2121 in A. James Clark Hall.
4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. ET

Conclusion - Saturday, January 11

Reflective Discussion on the Conference		 Zupnik Forum (1101) in A. James Clark Hall.
5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. ET

Cocktails & Dinner

 Zupnik Forum (1101) in A. James Clark Hall.

Sunday January 12th, 2025

Time Event / Session Location / Venue
8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. ET

Registration

Breakfast Beverages & Bites		 Zupnik Forum (1101) in A. James Clark Hall.
8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. ET

e4usa Exchange: Conversations for All

 Zupnik Forum (1101) in A. James Clark Hall.
9:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. ET

Welcome

 Zupnik Forum (1101) in A. James Clark Hall.
9:40 a.m. – 10:50 a.m. ET

Choose your Adventure: Interactive Sessions V

  • Engineering Evolution: Transitioning to a New Curriculum Platform: Reimagine the content and vision for the e4usa Curriculum as we prepare for its migration from TeachEngineering to the e4usa Hub.
  • Engineering Educators: Preparing Tomorrow’s Teachers: Help us identify ways to prepare pre-service educators to become effective engineering educators!
  • Engineering Educators: Preparing Teachers when the School Year has Begun: In past years we have had new teachers join e4usa after the end of Summer PD. As we are formalizing the process to train and support these teachers, we want your input and feedback. Hear about the progress we’ve made, and help guide us as we continue the work.
 Engineering Evolution: Transitioning to a New Curriculum Platform:
Room 2119 in A. James Clark Hall.
Engineering Educators: Preparing Tomorrow’s Teachers:
Room 2121 in A. James Clark Hall.
Engineering Educators: Preparing Teachers when the School Year has Begun:
Room 2134 in A. James Clark Hall.
11:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. ET

Choose your Adventure: Interactive Sessions VI

  • Ignite Interest: Strategies for Student Recruitment and Growing e4usa at Your School: Brainstorm together to identify strategies to recruit students and ensure e4usa scales at your school!
  • The Future is e4usa: Have your voice heard! Share your ideas for sustaining and scaling e4usa.
 The Future is e4usa:
Room 2119 in A. James Clark Hall.
The Future is e4usa:
Room 2134 in A. James Clark Hall.
12:15 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. ET

Lunch and Conclusion

  • Sharing of Workshop Outcomes
  • Reflective Discussion on the Conference
  • Action Plan Beyond the Conference
 Zupnik Forum (1101) in A. James Clark Hall.

Travel

If you are traveling to be with us, here are a few tips to make your travel seamless.

  • We have a room rate at The Hotel at the University of Maryland. Book here.
  • If you are eligible for a travel stipend, you should have already received information from our team. Please make sure you work with our team to submit required documentation to ensure we can get you reimbursed quickly.

Sponsors

Thanks to our sponsors for supporting e4usa's inaugural conference.

 

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