Section: 3

Major: Mechanical Engineering

Future plans: Graduate and see where is takes me, maybe grad school or a cool job.

Advice on how to approach EMP-Cubed: My biggest pieces of advice would be to make sure to do the notes before hand and to be open to new perspectives within your group.

What do you recommend doing if you are struggling in class? QUESTIONS!! Help room is extremely helpful because of the one-on-one help where you can work through your problems!

Fun fact about me: I have two little dachshunds named Rocco and Diesel.

Help room hours: Tuesdays, 2-3 pm (in person)

Email: bednardo@msu.edu

Section: 3 & 4 as needed

Major: Biosystems Engineering

Future plans: Attend med school or a PhD program

Advice on how to approach EMP-Cubed: Get comfortable with your groups and make connections outside of just physics.

What do you recommend doing if you are struggling in class? Go to your group first, that’s why they’re there! Ask for clarification or an explanation. Beyond that, help room is a great time to get assistance and discussion boards are helpful too.

Fun fact about me: I’m licensed to operate a forklift.

Help room hours: Piazza Discussion Board Manager - weekends

Email: dashner1@msu.edu

Section: 4

Major: Computer Science

Future plans: Make enough money to have an absurd number of pets and plants!

Advice on how to approach EMP-Cubed: Don't be afraid to be wrong! It's better to facilitate discussions in your group than for everyone to sit there stumped.

What do you recommend doing if you are struggling in class? You can always ask your group mates and the teaching staff in class, there is a reason the class is structured the way it is. Secondly, go to help room!!! It's a super valuable resource that can help with homework or conceptual questions.

Fun fact about me: I love to draw and paint, especially things from nature like plants and animals!

Help room hours: Tuesdays, 7-8 pm (zoom)

Email: dawsonfa@msu.edu

Section: 4

Major: Astrophysics

Future plans: Would love to work for NASA or be a part of a research team for further space exploration.

Advice on how to approach EMP-Cubed: Go into the class with an open mind. It might seem like a lot at first but it gets easier if you are on top of the work!

What do you recommend doing if you are struggling in class? Help room is your best friend. There is nothing that helped me more than help room please utilize it!

Fun fact about me: I have lived in 8 different places

Help room hours: Mondays 6-7 pm (in person)

Email: doddamre@msu.edu

Section: 3

Major: Mechanical Engineering

Future plans: Something in automotive testing and manufacturing.

Advice on how to approach EMP-Cubed: Get to meet your group mates, don't be afraid of failure and stay on top of your work!

What do you recommend doing if you are struggling in class? Watch the videos/read the readings more in depth, visit office hours, ask questions and collaborate with your group mates.

Fun fact about me: I had to get a haircut from my soccer team…was stuck with a mullet and finger tips for a year.

Help room hours: Tuesdays, 1-2 pm (in person)

Email: dotymax1@msu.edu

Section: 4

Major: Computer Science

Future plans: Work remotely and live out of a van.

Advice on how to approach EMP-Cubed: Come to class prepared and form connections with your groupmates. Don't stress!

What do you recommend doing if you are struggling in class? Ask questions and come to help room!!

Fun fact about me: I worked in Yellowstone National Park this summer and I summited the middle Teton.

Email: haaseede@msu.edu

Section: 4

Major: Mechanical Engineering

Future plans: To work in the biomedical field, designing medical devices.

Advice on how to approach EMP-Cubed: Come to class prepared and make sure to talk with your group.

What do you recommend doing if you are struggling in class? Come to help room and ask lots of questions!!

Fun fact about me: I love reading!

Help room hours: Tuesdays 11 am - 12 pm (in person)

Email: jeffe122@msu.edu

Section: 3

Major: Computer Science

Future plans: To become a Cyberspace Operator for the Air Force

Advice on how to approach EMP-Cubed: If you get to know your groupmates, come prepared to class, and put in effort everyday, you will do outstanding in this course.

What do you recommend doing if you are struggling in class? If you're feeling overwhelmed, try and find something that relaxes you like going for a walk or reading a book. If you are struggling on physics content specifically, come to the help room! It'll help immensely.

Fun fact about me: I met a CowFish this past year. See my picture for more details.

Help room hours: Mondays 7 - 8 pm (in person)

Email: kwiatk67@msu.edu

Section: 4

Major: Mechanical Engineering

Future plans: To design medical devices as a biomedical engineer

Advice on how to approach EMP-Cubed: Actively participate in group discussions and allow yourself time to struggle through homework problems before asking for help.

What do you recommend doing if you are struggling in class? Read the notes carefully. Make sure you have attempted the homework problems. Go to help room to ask clarifying questions. Don’t talk down to yourself and don’t give up!

Fun fact about me: One of my hobbies is singing Indian classical music.

Help room hours: Tuesdays 12 - 1 pm (in person)

Email: maheshk1@msu.edu

Section: 4

Major: Computer Science

Future plans: My plans as of now are just to graduate

Advice on how to approach EMP-Cubed: Some good advice would be to always be able to contact your group mates and prepare well before the class.

What do you recommend doing if you are struggling in class? If you’re struggling in the course attend help rooms and don’t be afraid to ask questions to the teaching team, as well as your group mates.

Fun fact about me: I was born in Bosnia and moved to Lansing when I was a kid.

Help room hours: Sundays 7 - 8 pm (zoom)

Email: parganbi@msu.edu

Section: 4

Major: Computer Science

Future plans: Graduate and hopefully get into dental school

Advice on how to approach EMP-Cubed: Be open-minded and ready to learn! Get to know your groupmates.

What do you recommend doing if you are struggling in class? Take good notes (re-watch the videos if still confused), come to help room, and ask your groupmates. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, we are here to guide you through!

Fun fact about me: I fell from a scooter and broke my front two teeth.

Help room hours: Discussion Board Manager - Thursdays & Fridays

Email: parkeu24@msu.edu

Section: 3 & 4 as needed

Major: Civil Engineering

Future plans: I’m leaning towards structural engineering, focusing on concrete bridges. I’m honestly not sure what I want to do, though.

Advice on how to approach EMP-Cubed: Don’t be afraid to be wrong, get comfortable asking questions, and become friends with your group mates

What do you recommend doing if you are struggling in class? help room!!

Fun fact about me: I’ve never been trick or treating.

Help room hour: Tuesdays 10 - 11 am (in person)

Email: paulsoli@msu.edu

Section: 3

Major: Physics

Future plans: Get into grad school for nuclear physics and eventually work in a nuclear physics lab

Advice on how to approach EMP-Cubed: Don’t be afraid to ask questions and have fun

What do you recommend doing if you are struggling in class? Take a step back look over the problem and your work so far, talk back through everything you have written, and don’t be afraid to ask questions that’s why we are here

Fun fact about me: I was in the Navy for 8 years as an electrician and I am Mom to 4 kids and 2 cats

Help room hours: Mondays 1 - 2 pm (in person)

Email: seppalad@msu.edu

Section: 4

Major: Computer Science

Future plans: Use my degree to get some job, not sure what yet.

Advice on how to approach EMP-Cubed: Get to know the people in your groups and start the homework early so you have time to ask questions.

What do you recommend doing if you are struggling in class? Post on the d2l discussion boards and attend help-rooms. I would also step away from the problem for a while just to calm yourself for another go at the problem

Fun fact about me: I play trombone in the Spartan Marching Band

Help room hours: Fridays 4 - 5 pm (in person)

Email: storycal@msu.edu

Section: 3

Major: Physics

Future plans: Go to grad school to get a doctorate in physics, then teach and do research at a university.

Advice on how to approach EMP-Cubed: Have an open mind! The format of this class can be unfamiliar, but it is ultimately an enriching experience.

What do you recommend doing if you are struggling in class? Ask questions and use the resources at your disposal! And know that it's okay to take a breath during class.

Fun fact about me: I play guitar and bass and love to write music.

Email: valen176@msu.edu

Section: 4

Major: Mechanical Engineering

Future plans: To work in the Biomechanical field with prosthetics and other medical devices.

Advice on how to approach EMP-Cubed: Get to know your groupmates and be confident sharing all your ideas!

What do you recommend doing if you are struggling in class? Take advantage of the various resources such as the help room and CoRe tutoring. Never hesitate about asking questions because we are all here to help!

Fun fact about me: I can build an IKEA dresser in under an hour.

Help room hours: Fridays 3-4 pm (in person)

Email: yagerabi@msu.edu

Sections: 3 (& 4)

Research Area: Physics Education Research

Description of research in that area: I am currently researching the ways in which computational thinking manifests in introductory physics classrooms, and how we can guide curricular design to promote computational thinking engagement.

What excites you about physics: I find that learning physics is very exciting; the notion of understanding the ways in which the universe operates is quite fascinating. I grow more intrigued as I learn about new phenomena, and I feel as though I have truly found my passion.

Advice on how to approach EMP-Cubed: Stay ahead of schedule by reviewing ideas before class, because it will make class time feel much more productive

What do you recommend doing if you are struggling in class? I’d recommend reaching out to an LA who could point you in the right direction of where a valuable resource might be for your unique situation, including online notes, homework problems, exam prep folders, help room, discussion board, etc.

Fun fact about me: I play piano and have a big cat named Solomon who is the ruler of our apartment

Help room hours: Mondays 3-5 pm (in person), Mondays 5-6 pm (zoom), D2L Discussion Board Manager - Mondays

Email: botttheo@msu.edu

Section: 3 (& 4)

Research Area: Physics Education Research

Description of research in that area: My research focuses on students' self-efficacy, their belief in their ability to succeed, and what parts of a physics course give rise to opportunities for self-efficacy growth. I have research experience in neural engineering and tend to focus on more complex statistical analysis methods.

What excites you about physics: I love that physics is so fundamental. It can be used to describe almost everything. I feel like understanding physics gives you a broader perspective on the world.

Advice on how to approach EMP-Cubed: Ask any and all questions. You're probably not the only person in your group who is confused. Start work early so that you have time to really think about the concepts.

What do you recommend doing if you are struggling in class? Reach out for help as soon as you feel you're struggling. The sooner you ask for help the more time we have to work through things. If you don't feel comfortable asking in person an email to the LA's/myself is a great way to start.

Fun fact about me: I am an avid movie collector and somewhat of an expert on the Lord of the Rings. I took two college classes in undergrad on the subject!

Help room hours: Tuesdays 3 - 5 pm (in person), Tuesdays 6-7 pm (zoom), Discussion Board Manager - Tuesdays

Email: johnbyrd@msu.edu

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Section: 3

Degrees:

Research/Interest Area:

Description of research in that area:

What excites you about physics:

Advice on how to approach EMP-Cubed:

What do you recommend doing if you are struggling in class?

Fun fact about me:

Help room hours: Mondays 10 - 11 am (in STEM), or by appointment

Email: becke183@msu.edu

Section: 3 & 4

Degrees: B.S. in Engineering Physics; M.S. in Physics; Ph.D. in Physics, research area in Physics Education Research

Research/Interest Area: My research area is Physics Education Research.

Description of research in that area: My research has focused on the development and evaluation of active learning (non-lecture) physics classes, particularly introductory mechanics and E&M. Most recently, my research has focused particularly on two areas: 1) how we can make active learning classes more accessible and 2) how students develop scientific practices in physics courses, including computational thinking skills.

What excites you about physics: I love the explanatory power of physics and that physics can explain what happens in every day life - like how metal detectors work or how power is generated or how the electric grid is set up.

Advice on how to approach EMP-Cubed: This class is about more than getting a final answer, it's about understanding the process and understanding what your final answer actually means. Spend the time understanding the assumptions that are in the notes and in the problems, and really evaluate your answers. It's ok if they aren't completely realistic, the important part is to be able to identify why they aren't realistic and what the effects are on your solution.

What do you recommend doing if you are struggling in class? Remember that you have a lot of resources in this class. In addition to help room, you have your instructors in class, you have your group mates, there's piazza discussion boards, and the notes. Don't be afraid of not knowing something - it is always worth it to ask questions or say something if you don't get an idea/concept!

Fun fact about me: I love to cook and bake. Most recently, I've learned to make panna cotta from scratch (I've decided it's basically just fancy pudding) and a variety of homemade sausages. I'm also learning how to make lots of different breads as an ongoing project.

Help room hours: Mondays 2 - 3 pm (zoom)

Email: mcpadden@msu.edu