It’s easy to help make ATEC a better experience for its
undergraduate students: Just require a minor (18 credit hours) in the STEM
field of their choice. The interests and abilities that UTD ATEC students have
for animating and visualizing complex STEM processes are badly needed in
NS&M, ECS and BBS. For an example of
the types of visualizations and animations that are needed in my field,
geosciences, please take a look at some of the videos and animations made by
Geoscience Studios (https://utdgss2016.wixsite.com/utdgss). I’m sure other
science and engineering disciplines have need for ATEC student skills as well,
but if ATEC undergrads don’t know a prokaryote from a chloroplast, they’re not
going to be much help to biology! Thus, involving ATEC undergrads in STEM will
improve all UTD STEM fields. What’s more, a STEM minor will make ATEC
undergrads venture into another field, learn some of the lingo and problems and
improve engagement. To do this, space must be carved out for a STEM minor as
part of ATEC major degree requirements. Having a STEM minor will make it easier
for an ATEC student’s resume to stand out. All technique and no content makes
Jack a dull boy!