Learn by Doing Scholar Awards: Recognizing the Impact of Cal Poly’s Award Signature Pedagogy

2024 Winners
Joseph Cleary, Construction Management
Jeong Woo, Construction Management
Jacques Belanger, Mechanical Engineering
Skip the Grid

About the Awards

The Learn by Doing Scholar Awards recognize outstanding faculty contributions to Cal Poly’s signature pedagogy of Learn by Doing. These awards emphasize the impact of Cal Poly’s distinctive educational approach by translating learning into practice to make a difference in disciplines and industries across California and around the world. Successful applications will provide compelling evidence of the impact of Learn by Doing through curriculum-related instructional and research/creative activities, as well as demonstrate an academically rigorous and student-centered approach to learning. The Library Dean’s Advisory Council established the Learn by Doing Scholar Awards in 2014, and they continue to be supported by generous donors.

2024 Learn by Doing Scholar Awards Committee
Robert M. Arens, College of Architecture and Environmental Design
Randi Barros, College of Liberal Arts
Javier de la Fuente, Orfalea College of Business
Brian Greenwood, College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences
Ben Lutz, College of Engineering
Jeanine Scaramozzino, Robert E. Kennedy Library
Gregg Scott, Bailey College of Science and Mathematics

Applicant Eligibility

All Cal Poly faculty (Unit 3) who have been employed for at least one quarter during the current academic year are eligible to apply for the awards. Previous award recipients are not eligible.

Review Criteria

Applications will be evaluated based on the originality of the activity or project and the unique application of Learn by Doing pedagogies, as well as how it achieves the following outcomes: 

• Translating learning into practice by engaging students in the discipline, industry and/or community.
• Inspiring students to value the link between learning and practical application.
• Leveraging collaborative partnerships in the discipline, and industry and/or community.
• Addressing the challenges and needs of today (and tomorrow) in the discipline, industry, and/or community. 
• Working across disciplines, academic institutions and/or other external partnerships. 
• Positively impacting people and industries in California, across the country, and around the world through disciplinary application. 
• Demonstrating the achievement of student learning outcomes through a student-focused and academically rigorous approach that includes assessment of student learning. 

How to Apply

1. Contact information for applicant and collaborators and/or students. 

2. A description of the original project or activity that explains the unique application of Learn by Doing and addresses the outcomes listed in the above criteria.   

3. Brief biographical sketches for the applicant and any collaborators and/or students. 

4. One example of evidence of impact on student learning (e.g., student testimonials, media coverage, professional award, scholarly paper or presentation).