Randy Weinstein, PhD

Vice Provost for Teaching and Learning; Professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering

Randy Weinstein, PhD, is an authority on chemical engineering and an expert on teaching and learning methods in higher ed.

Media

Photos (3)
Videos (1)

TEDxVillanovaU - Randy Weinstein - How Dr. Seuss Damaged Engineering in the US

This talk focuses on the history of the word nerd and how Dr. Seuss damaged the image of engineering in the US. Randy is currently professor and chair of chemical engineering and director of the sustainable engineering program at Villanova University. His dad was a physical education teacher and his mom taught elementary school, so naturally he became an engineer. He has won the 2010 Lindback Award for Teaching Excellence as well as the 2008 Innovative Teaching Award at Villanova. Randy explores the use of supercritical fluids and nanomaterials for a variety of processes and applications in his lab. In his free time you can find him on stage at a variety of community theaters in the greater Philadelphia area. In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

Areas of Expertise (7)

Supercritical Fluids/Nanomaterials
Thermodynamics
Surface Science
Chemical Engineering Problems
Flipped Learning
Teaching and Learning in Higher Education
Teaching and Learning Methods

Biography

Dr. Weinstein is adept at translating complex concepts in chemical engineering into layman's language in a lively and engaging manner. He can speak about the application to daily life of current research in areas such as developing better cooling systems for electronic devices; developing environmentally-friendly replacement solvents for chemical processing; exploring surfaces of materials for cleaning, adhesion, waterproofing and corrosion prevention; and devising more efficient pharmaceutical delivery devices. Dr. Weinstein is a leader in utilizing innovative teaching methods, having incorporated the flipped classroom model into his classes in the College of Engineering. In 2016, he was named the University's Associate Vice Provost for Teaching and Learning.

Education (2)

Massachusetts Institute of Technology: PhD
University of Virginia: BS

Select Accomplishments (2)

Corcoran Award (PROFESSIONAL)

1/1/1970

Awarded by the American Society of Engineering Education for the most outstanding article published in Chemical Engineering Education, 2016

Lindback Award (PROFESSIONAL)

1/1/1970

Awarded for Teaching Excellence at Villanova University, 2010

Links (3)

Affiliations (1)

Member of the Engineering Curriculum Development and Assessment Committee, College Board’s Advanced Placement Program ® (AP ® )

Select Media Appearances (3)

'The Power of Unsolvable Problems'

The Chronicle of Higher Education

7/17/2016

But they will learn how to learn — and learn how to learn from failure. A good failure can open another path to something even better. Employers look for people who can handle situations when things are not going right.

Find Your Niche in Engineering Before College

U.S. News & World Report

5/12/2016

At Villanova University, prospective students must indicate what type of engineering they'd like to study in their applications but can freely switch between disciplines throughout freshman year, says Randy Weinstein, a professor of chemical engineering and associate dean of academic affairs in the school's college of engineering.

Flipped Classroom May Help Weaker STEM Students

U.S. News & World Report

8/5/2014

But more often, engineering, math and science disciplines are jumping into the flipped classroom experience, and with promising results. "If you're just going to get up there and do a traditional lecture, that's going to work for some people, but if that's the only way they can get the information, the people it doesn't work for are not really getting anything productive out of the class," says Randy Weinstein, associate dean for academic affairs for Villanova University's College of Engineering.

Select Academic Articles (5)

Improved Performance via the Inverted Classroom

Chemical Engineering Education

Randy Weinstein

2015 This study examined student performance in an inverted thermodynamics course (lectures provided by video outside of class) compared to a traditional lecture class. Students in the inverted class performed better on their exams. Students in the bottom third of the inverted course showed the greatest improvement. These bottom third students had a C exam average compared to a D+ average of their traditional lecture counterparts. When material was presented in videos longer than 15 minutes, students did not perform as well when compared to material presented in shorter videos. Students also needed to be quizzed on video material frequently to incentivize the students to keep up with the video lectures and spend the time to comprehend the material presented outside of class.

A Core Course Component in a Project-Based First-Year Engineering Experience

Proceedings of the 122nd ASEE Annual Conference and Expedition

R. Caverly, J. O’Brien, S. Park, E. Char, H. Fulmer, R. Weinstein

A Core Course Component in a Project-Based First-Year Engineering Experience. Villanova University embarked on a new project-based approach for the required first-year engineering experience in 2009; this new first-year experience was reported in the 2010 ASEE Annual Conference proceedings.