SYLLABUS
Inventor’s Studio 1 and Professional Development 1
MANE 2220 and PD1 [Credit Hours: 3+1]
Semester/Year: Fall 2025
Section 1: Low 3112 ; Tuesday and Friday 8:00am - 9:50pm
Section 2: Sage 2211; Tuesday and Friday 2:00pm - 3:50pm
INSTRUCTORS:
Casey Hoffman
Senior Lecturer
Email: HOFFMC4@rpi.edu
Office Hours: T+F, 10-12; or by appointment via Webex
Trisha Teig
Associate Director-Lecturer, Archer Center for Student Leadership Development
Email: TEIGT@rpi.edu
Office Hours: by appointment in-person or via Webex
Jordan Vener
Associate Director-Lecturer, Archer Center for Student Leadership Development
Email: VENERJ2@rpi.edu
Office Hours: by appointment in-person or via Webex
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
A first course in enhancing critical skills for leaders of technological innovation. The course
emphasizes creativity, teamwork, communication and work across engineering disciplines.
Students learn how to build on personal and innate talents through critical thinking skills, designoriented mindsets, and an understanding of appropriate tool and process selection. Students
will utilize tools and processes for ideation and innovation, develop ideas from concepts to
minimum viable products via the ideate - build - learn cycle, and recognize and
understand prototyping methods.
Prerequisites/Corequisites: Prerequisite: ENGR 1100 and ENGR 1200 or ENGR 1400.
Corequisite: PHYS 1200.
Highlights: critical thinking, communication, and collaboration; design and innovation processes
and tools; leadership and ethics
Student Learning Outcomes: A student who finishes this course in a satisfactory manner will be
able to demonstrate: i) an ability to apply the engineering design process to produce solutions
that meet multiple constraints, ii) an ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities
of engineers in the context of design and innovation, iii) an ability to communicate effectively, iv)
an ability to function independently as well as on a team, and v) an ability to acquire and apply
new knowledge.
Inventor’s Studio 1 Syllabus;
ABET Learning Outcomes:
1) An ability to identify, formulate and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles
of engineering, science and mathematics.
2) An ability to apply the engineering design process to produce solutions that meet specified
needs with consideration for public health and safety, and global, cultural, social, environmental,
economic factors
3) An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
4) An ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and
make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global,
economic, environmental, and societal contexts.
5) An ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create
a collaborative and inclusive environment.
6) An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and
use engineering judgment to draw conclusions
7) An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning
strategies.
Course Grading Criteria:
Letter grades will be determined as shown below, with the weight of each Assessment shown as
well as the corresponding range for total points corresponding to each Letter Grade. Calculated
grades will be rounded to 2 decimal points.
Assessment
% of
Final
Grade
Attendance, Class Participation, Studio
Work, Homework, and Peer Feedback
PD1 – Demonstration of Understanding
(Assignments Throughout Course)
10
EIS Blitz Final Presentation & Prototype
EIS Blitz Poster Session
Individual Project Concept Memo &
Presentation
Individual Project Final Presentation
Individual Project Final Report
15
5
10
20
(5% each)
25
15
Letter Grade
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD+
D
F
Range
92.00 ≤ grade
90.00 ≤ gr. < 92.00
87.00 ≤ gr. < 90.00
84.00 ≤ gr. < 87.00
80.00 ≤ gr. < 84.00
77.00 ≤ gr. < 8.000
74.00 ≤ gr. < 77.00
70.00 ≤ gr. < 74.00
67.00 ≤ gr. < 70.00
60.00 ≤ gr. < 67.00
grade < 60.00
Note: An Individual Contribution Factor (ICF) may be applied to final grades based on individual
contributions to any team deliverables. This includes instructor observations of participation and
teamwork, demonstration of leadership and professionalism, peer feedback/evaluations, and
individual reflection assignments. Such ICF modifiers typically range from 90%-110% of the
team’s overall grade.
Attendance: Active participation is required. You are expected to make relevant contributions to
your team and projects outside of regularly scheduled class time and communicate regarding any
absences from class.
Academic Integrity:
The Rensselaer Handbook of Student Rights and Responsibilities defines various forms of
Academic Dishonesty and you should make yourself familiar with these. In this class, all
Inventor’s Studio 1 Syllabus;
assignments that are turned in for a grade must be the result of your or your team’s own original
effort. Work completed by others, or your own work completed for other programs or courses
should not be submitted here as original work. All assignments must be completed without aid
from Artificial Intelligence (AI) software/programs unless prior approval is granted by the
instructor.
Submission of any assignment that is in violation of this policy will receive a score of zero for the
assignment, and if the instructors deem appropriate, further institutional punishment will be
pursued. If a second violation occurs, the student will be given a grade of F (Failure) in the course.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion:
We will strive to provide an environment that is equitable and conducive to achievement and
learning for all students. We ask that we all be respectful of diverse opinions and of all class
members, regardless of personal attribute. We ask that we all use inclusive language in written
and oral work, and in the classroom. School of Engineering (SoE) policy is that no students, faculty
and staff shall be excluded on the grounds of gender, race, class, religion, sexuality, disability,
etc. The free exchange of ideas, as well as diversity of background, experience, and views
contributes to the learning experience, and further broadens and adds strength to our learning
community. All participants in this course are encouraged to recognize the diversity around them
and are expected to treat their classmates, TAs, and instructors with respect. Disrespectful,
harmful, offensive, bigoted, or violent language or behavior will not be tolerated. Please also
review the Institute’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion policy (https://info.rpi.edu/diversity)
We are committed to ensuring full participation of all students in this course. If you have a
documented disability (or think you may have a disability) and, as a result, need a reasonable
accommodation to participate in this class, complete the course requirements, or benefit from the
Institute’s programs or services, contact the Office of Disability Services for Students (DSS) as
soon as possible. To receive any academic accommodation, you must be appropriately registered
with DSS. After registration, contact me as soon as possible to discuss your accommodations so
that they may be implemented in a timely fashion. DSS contact information: dss@rpi.edu; 518276-2231, 4226 Academy Hall.
Disability Services:
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute strives to make all learning experiences as accessible as
possible. If you anticipate or experience academic barriers based on a disability, please let me
know immediately so that we can discuss your options. To establish reasonable
accommodations, please register with The Office of Disability Services for Students. After
registration, make arrangements with the Director of Disability Services as soon as possible to
discuss your accommodations so that they may be implemented in a timely fashion. DSS contact
information: dss@rpi.edu; +1-518-276-8197; 4226 Academy Hall.
Student Wellbeing & RPI Campus Resources
All students’ holistic wellbeing, including physical, mental, and emotional health, is of
paramount importance throughout the duration of the semester. Good health and wellbeing
practices contribute to overall academic success. Feel free to communicate with your instructor
throughout the semester about your wellbeing, especially if you are ever facing wellbeing or
health challenges that may affect your attendance and performance in the course and/or need
assistance getting in touch with campus academic support and wellbeing resources.
Below are RPI campus resources and departments that can directly assist students with
academic and wellbeing concerns.
Inventor’s Studio 1 Syllabus;
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Student Success Center – First Floor of Folsom Library (contact info to come)
Engineering Academic HUB & Faculty Advisors https://eng.rpi.edu/students/advising/first-year-advising-hub
Dean of Students Office - https://doso.rpi.edu/ (518) 276-6266
Counseling Center - https://studenthealth.rpi.edu/list-services/counseling-center
(518)-276-6479
Mantra Health - https://studenthealth.rpi.edu/list-services/mental-health-counselingservices/mantra-health https://hub.mantrahealth.com
o ConnectNow on-demand support: (518) 276-8888.
Student Health Center - https://studenthealth.rpi.edu/list-services/student-healthcenter (518) 276-6287
Rec Well at the Mueller Center https://recwell.rpi.edu/
Support Services:
RPInfo - contains various resource links for students, academic resources, support services, and
safety & emergency preparedness.
ALAC—Advising
Academic
and Learning
518.276.6269 https://info.rpi.edu/advising-learning-assistance/
Assistance
Assistance
Center
Counseling
https://studenthealth.rpi.edu/list518.276.6479
Student
Center
services/counseling-center
Health and
Student
Health
https://studenthealth.rpi.edu/list-services/studentWellness
518.276.6287
Center
health-center
Class Deans,
Undergraduate
Dean, Graduate
Student
Experience
Support
518.276.8022 https://success.studentlife.rpi.edu/
Dean,
Student
Services
Success
Dean, First Year
Experience
Central
https://info.rpi.edu
RPI Info
Information Hub
for the campus
Help Desk
518.276.7777
DOTCIO
Submit a ticket to
(IT
IT Services and
https://itssc.rpi.edu/hc/en-us
Services)
Support Center
Lab Safety:
All students and projects must comply with the School of Engineering General Safety Rules and
Operational Policies for Manufacturing and Prototyping and Materials Testing Labs (full policies
are available on LMS).
Inventor’s Studio 1 Syllabus;
REQUIRED TEXT(S)/COURSE MATERIALS:
Class notes and other resource/readings will be provided on LMS. Students will explore a variety
of other resources on their own in completion of the various course assignments.
Inventor’s Studio 1 Syllabus;
Course Calendar (subject to change):
Tuesday
Friday
Topic
Class 1 –
Introductions, Syllabus Review,
MOU & Community Agreements
Blitz Team Formation and Intro
NO CLASS follow Mon Schedule
Week
1
Date
8/26 NO
CLASS
Topic
NO CLASS
Date
8/29
2
9/2
9/5
3
9/9
9/12
Class 4 –
Mind Mapping Activity
Customer Discovery Box Activity
Successful Team/Johari Window
4
9/16
Class 2 –
“A Day in The Life…” Activity
Simon Senek “Your Why”
Tuckman Stages;
Problem Definition/Mindful Reflection
Class 3 “Backward Imaging” Activity
Public Speaking/Feedback
Customer Needs/Problem Definition
Team Playbook
Class 5 –
Team Presentations on Problem Definition
9/19
5
9/23
Class 7 –
MBTI
9/26
6
9/30
10/3
7
10/7
Class 9 –
Mike Rosado 3-D Printing Lecture
PD1 HW = Intellectual Competencies Survey
(Mid-Term)
Team Updates
Concept Generation/Evaluation
Class 11
EIS Blitz Poster Session
Class 6 –
Design Specifications Table
Open Studio (Continue Stakeholder
Interviews to update Design Specs
Tables)
Class 8 –
Team Pres. on Design Specs
Discussion on Blitz Remaining
Deliverables
Class 10 –
EIS Blitz Presentations
Design Process -Including Concept
Generation
(3-D Prints REQUIRED)
8
10/14
Class 13 –
Individual Project Concept Consultations
10/17
9
10/21
Class 15
Project Concept Individual Presentations
10/24
10
10/28
10/31
11
11/4
12
11/11
Class 17
RPI OTC SPEAKER – Doug Robinson
Class – 19
Impromptu Presentations (Topis Given at Start
of Class)
Class 21 –
13
11/18
Class 23 –
Impromptu Presentations (Topic Given at Start
of Class)
Consultation with Teaching Team
11/21
14
11/25
15
12/2
16
12/9
Inventor’s Studio 1 Syllabus;
10/10
11/7
11/14
Class 12 –
Individual Project Concept
Brainstorming
Intro to SWOT Analysis
Johari Followup
Class 14 –
Concentric Circle Activity
Project Topic Area Consultations
Class 16
DEI Activity in Class
Individual Project Concept Memo
Due by 11:59pm
Class 18 –
Class 20 –
Table Conversations – What is
innovative about your project?
Class 22 –
Class 24 –
PD1 HW = Intellectual
Competencies Survey (End-OfTerm)
Consultation with Teaching Team
11/28
THANKSGIVING BREAK
NO CLASS
Class 25 –
Open Studio
Consultation with Teaching Team
Class 27 –
Individual Project Final Presentations
12/5
12/12
THANKSGIVING BREAK
NO CLASS
Class 26 – Individual Project Final
Presentations
Class 28Course Wrap-up Activity –
Edits to Individual Project Final
Reports Must be Completed by
11:59pm