Section: 3

Major: Astrophysics

Future plans: Find a job (anything) that I enjoy and will allow me to travel!

Advice on how to approach EMP-Cubed: Don’t be scared to work in groups! Everyone is in the same boat, and your teammates can help you out a lot.

What do you recommend doing if you are struggling in class? Definitely go to the help room and utilize all of your other resources (piazza, asking ULAs, and even talking to your group).

Fun fact about me: I have 5 roommates that I met freshman year!

Email: arndtale@msu.edu

Section: 5

Major: Mechanical Engineering

Future plans: I'm open minded, hoping to find a job that I'll enjoy!

Advice on how to approach EMP-Cubed: Be willing to make mistakes! The best learning is done when you have to struggle for it!

What do you recommend doing if you are struggling in class? The most useful resource are your groupmates or ULAs, so use them if you need any help!

Fun fact about me: I hiked multiple 14ers this past summer!

Help room hours: Piazza Discussion Board Manager - Thursdays & Fridays

Email: austi155@msu.edu

Section: 4

Major: Biosystems Engineering

Future plans: I actually don't know! I've been looking for internship opportunities anywhere I can but I'm not too sure on my future career.

Advice on how to approach EMP-Cubed: Don't stress about the problems too much. The problems can seem really scary and complicated but I promise if you take it step by step with your group you can do anything in this class.

What do you recommend doing if you are struggling in class? Reread the notes and come to help room. The notes and equations are a huge resource and help room is amazing for clearing up anything that may still be confusing.

Fun fact about me: Eminem used to live in the neighborhood across from mine

Help room hours: Mondays 4:30 - 5:30 pm

Email: bauertru@msu.edu

Section: 4

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 6:30 - 7:30 pm

Email: bednardo@msu.edu

Section: 4

Major: Astrophysics

Future plans: I’m honestly not sure! I plan on getting my PhD, and my dream is to start my own business that leads in space innovation and exploration.

Advice on how to approach EMP-Cubed: Have an open mind. Those who haven’t experienced a flipped classroom environment yet may not enjoy or understand its usefulness until they adjust to it. I promise it’s worth it!

What do you recommend doing if you are struggling in class? Go to help room! Use Piazza! Ask questions! The EM/P-cubed staff are at your disposal, and here to help whenever it’s needed.

Fun fact about me: I’ve been singing since the 4th grade, and I am the current director of the MSU Grand Canonical Ensemble (Physics Choir). Contact me if you’re interested in joining!

Email: copel116@msu.edu

Section: 4

Major: Biosystems Engineering

Future plans: Find a job in the food industry, travel, be outside, enjoy life, and be happy!

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: Tuesdays 4:00 - 5:00 pm

Email: dashner1@msu.edu

Section: 3

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 5:30 - 6:30 pm

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 6:30 - 7:30 pm

Email: doddamre@msu.edu

Section: 5

Major: Mechanical Engineering

Future plans: Work for Consumers Energy in their standards department or in their renewable energy division.

Advice on how to approach EMP-Cubed: Get to meet your group mates, don't be afraid to speak up/ask questions and have fun!

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'm an IZZONE student section leader!

Help room hours: Mondays 2:30 - 3:30 pm

Email: dotymax1@msu.edu

Section: 4

Major: Mechanical Engineering

Future plans: Work in some sort of recycling/environmental industry or maybe grad school?? And hopefully having time for hobbies.

Advice on how to approach EMP-Cubed: Say what's on your mind even if you aren't sure if your idea is correct. This class is all about bouncing ideas off each other, even if they're wrong. Discussing mistakes can lead to so much growth in your education!

What do you recommend doing if you are struggling in class? Be brave and ask for help! Trust me, everyone makes mistakes and gets confused. Asking for help will benefit you and may also benefit you're group members who are also struggling.

Fun fact about me: I love cats. My family back home has two cats named Bigfoot and Tiny. If you ever need a cat sitter, let me know!

Help room hours: Tuesdays 4:30 - 5:30 pm

Email: gauntmag@msu.edu

Section: 3

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.

Email: maheshk1@msu.edu

Section: 5

Major: Computer Science, Minor in Business

Future plans: To work in AI and create solutions to problems all over the world.

Advice on how to approach EMP-Cubed: Do the readings and make friends with your teammates! It will make the class much more enjoyable and you never know where a connection can take you.

What do you recommend doing if you are struggling in class? Don't hesitate to reach out to the TAs or ULAs if you have any questions. We are always happy to help!

Fun fact about me: I love playing tennis with my friends and family on my off time!

Help room hours: Piazza Discussion Board Manager - Saturdays & Sundays

Email: mohabans@msu.edu

Section: 4

Major: Applied Engineering

Future plans: Build a career I love, start a business that helps companies be more sustainable, and make enough money to have a massive home library.

Advice on how to approach EMP-Cubed: Ask a lot of questions and don't be afraid of saying the wrong thing. This class values a learning curve over always getting the right answer!

What do you recommend doing if you are struggling in class? Talk to your LA! They have a lot of strategies and recommendations to help you succeed in this class.

Fun fact about me: I illustrated a book when I was in high school and it became an New York Times best-seller.

Help room hours: Piazza Discussion Board Manager - Mondays

Email: nairom@msu.edu

Section: 3

Major: Computer Engineering

Future plans: My future plan would be to work as an embedded engineer somewhere.

Advice on how to approach EMP-Cubed: Don't be afraid to share ideas in your group and get to know the people in your group.

What do you recommend doing if you are struggling in class? Reach out for help, be it your peers, TAs, or ULAs.

Fun fact about me: I played soccer for 15 years straight but I'm now playing for pure fun.

Help room hours: Tuesdays 3:00 - 4:00

Email: nishida2@msu.edu

Section: 3

Major: computer science

Future plans: to work as an AI expert at a tech company

Advice on how to approach EMP-Cubed: Don’t hesitate to put forward your ideas even if you aren’t completely sure about them. It’s all about learning together

What do you recommend doing if you are struggling in class? Reach out to your peers, TAs, professors, go to help rooms, there are so many different ways you could succeed in this class

Fun fact about me: I love to dance.

Email: pakalehi@msu.edu

Section: 5

Major: Math

Future plans: Do a lot of math. Hopefully enough to get a PhD.

Advice on how to approach EMP-Cubed: Come to class prepared and make friends with your groupmates!

What do you recommend doing if you are struggling in class? Come to the help room often! All of us LAs are on your side and want you to succeed.

Fun fact about me: I have a Mexican Street Dog named Delso.

Help room hours: Tuesdays 2:30 - 3:30 pm

Email: procto86@msu.edu

Section: 3

Major: Mechanical Engineering

Future plans: To work in either the defense industry or in a field that combines engineering and storm chasing, especially chasing tornados.

Advice on how to approach EMP-Cubed: Put in the hard work to get to know your group members’ and their strengths that way you are prepared for the group projects. Also don’t put off the homework until the last second, that way you get help if you need it. Enjoy the lore of the class.

What do you recommend doing if you are struggling in class? Use the help room and don’t wait till your last attempt on a problem to come to the help room. Talk to the professors and the TAs and LAs they are here to answer your questions and offer help.

Fun fact about me: I have been to Alaska twice as part of a research project and helped write a research paper published by ASHRAE.

Help room hours: Tuesdays 5:00 - 6:00 pm

Email: raleighq@msu.edu

Section: 5

Major: Mechanical Engineering

Future plans: Serve as an officer in the US Air Force as a fighter pilot or engineer.

Advice on how to approach EMP-Cubed: Open up to your group and don't be afraid to share your ideas and questions! Your group can help you out and they're one of your best resources.

What do you recommend doing if you are struggling in class? Summarize the online notes in your own words/notes, and bring your personal notes to class. This helps with getting a baseline understanding before class and helps you know what to ask questions about during class.

Fun fact about me: I love to lift weights!

Help room hours: Mondays 5:30 - 6:30 pm

Email: schne623@msu.edu

Section: 5

Major: Neuroscience

Future plans: Not entirely sure, hopefully find work that involves the medical devices used in brain surgery or something similar!

Advice on how to approach EMP-Cubed: Breaking down the problems always helps, figuring out the simple concepts underlying the problem makes the process of solving easier.

What do you recommend doing if you are struggling in class? Don't be afraid to rely on the help rooms and it never hurts to try asking your groupmates for help!

Fun fact about me: Both of my dogs have a food name, Noodles and Bean

Help room hours: Mondays 3:30 - 4:30 pm

Email: thom2601@msu.edu

Sections: 3 & 5

Research Area: Physics Education Research

Description of research in that area: Right now, my research is analyzing interviews on how accessible group work in classes (like this one!) are for ADHD students.

What excites you about physics: Having the tools to understand why things happen–like why the pitch gets higher and higher as you fill up your water bottle.

Advice on how to approach EMP-Cubed: In order to practice physics, you and your group will have to risk sharing ideas you aren’t sure about–be kind to others and yourself

What do you recommend doing if you are struggling in class? Help room is a great resource, if you're struggling or if you're just not sure. When I took introductory E&M, I went to office hours 3-5 times a week.

Fun fact about me: I love knitting and crafting, and can explain the physics behind a spinning wheel.

Help room hours: Tuesdays 6-7 pm & Piazza Discussion Board Manager Tuesdays

Email: reyno650@msu.edu

Sections: 3

Research Area: Physics Education Research

Description of research in that area: My research focuses on culturally relevant physics education. One of my projects is designing and implementing culture-based assessments that engage students in using their cultural resources to learn physics concepts.

What excites you about physics: Through my experiences in physics classes, I have far exceeded what I ever thought that I would be capable of. Whether it’s approaching a challenging problem by breaking it into manageable steps or modeling a complex system as a sum of individual parts, physics has made what seems impossible, possible and allows you to do some pretty cool things.

Advice on how to approach EMP-Cubed: Come to class prepared with the lecture notes and be open to attempting something that you’ve never done before.

What do you recommend doing if you are struggling in class? When in doubt, reach out to the people around you. Growth is challenging and it’s not much fun to struggle alone.

Fun fact about me: I’m a college dropout turned Ph.D. student

Email: wooleya2@msu.edu

Section: 5

Degrees: B.A. in Physics, Ph.D. in Physics with research area in high energy astrophysics

Research/Interest Area: Particle astrophysics

Description of research in that area: My research focuses on ultra-relativistic particles coming from deep space, especially neutrinos, both attempting to understand where and how they are produced and to use them to study their fundamental properties. Most of my work is related to two projects: the IceCube Neutrino Observatory and the Pacific Ocean Neutrino Experiment (P-ONE) off Vancouver Island. Several undergrads work in my research group – if you're interested, let me know!

What excites you about physics: Physics is both a great way to learn about cool aspects of the world around us, and also a toolkit that's useful for thinking about a very broad range of problems: breaking them down into models, applying quantitative reasoning or computation to understand what the models predict, and using graphs and data to evaluate evidence.

Advice on how to approach EMP-Cubed: EMP-Cubed asks you to go beyond little self-contained “crossword-puzzle physics” problems and learn how to think about and model bigger, more open-ended problems. There won't always be a single right answer, and finding a good model to apply is often the hardest part. The point is not to memorize equations, but to understand them well enough to be able to apply them to whatever crazy new situation is in front of you. Be sure to read the notes and do the prep problems before class so that you can spend your time applying the new principles to the problems we'll work on.

What do you recommend doing if you are struggling in class? Don't be reluctant to ask for help, and PLEASE don't convince yourself that everything's OK because you understand things once someone explains them to you. Physics takes practice, and the LAs, TAs, and faculty are here to be your coaches and help you learn.

Fun fact about me: I've been to the South Pole three times.

Help room hours: Tuesdays 3:30 - 4:30 pm in the help room, or by appointment (email me)

Email: tdeyoung@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: Thursdays 10:30 - 11:30 am, or by appointment (email me)

Email: mcpadden@msu.edu