TERRE HAUTE —
What did you do this summer? It’s a common conversation starter as students return to campus and tell of their adventures. Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology mechanical engineering professor David Fisher usually has exciting stories to share, too — and these experiences even turn into learning opportunities for his students.
Fisher has spent a few summers at Apple Inc., and this fall returns from a year’s sabbatical at another technology icon, Google Inc. Why? “It is fun and I love it,” he says.
That, in fact, ties everything back to his role as a professor at one of the nation’s top technological institutions. “All Rose-Hulman students are going to get a job,” he says, “but one of the things I like to do is help them get a job that they’re really excited about.”
One way Fisher does this is by sharing what he’s learned in the high-tech world. Lessons from two summers at a startup robotic colonoscope manufacturer in California helped him form Rose-Hulman’s new multidisciplinary robotics initiative.
Starting in 2008, he spent three summers at Apple, helping develop the Apple-Nike interface that lets an Apple iPhone or iPod link with a sensor built into certain Nike running shoes.
That became the basis for a class that taught students to use iOS, the operating system that powers the iconic iPhone and iPad. Another new class focused on Google’s popular Android operating system. The result: “Students can go to a career fair and show employers an application they made,” Fisher says.
Now, more exciting educational frontiers have been opened from Fisher’s 15 months at the “Googleplex” in Mountain View, Calif., assigned to the Google TV project. He hopes to lead a web development class this fall that draws upon his Silicon Valley experiences.
Fisher brings back more than just nuts-and-bolts tech know-how. Insights he can share about how tech companies operate may be even more valuable — how do companies brainstorm, what are their product design techniques and how they track and resolve product bugs?
“You think these companies are magic,” he says. If so, he’s learned some of the tricks.
The Rose-Hulman 2000 mechanical engineering alumnus is clearly thrilled to spend time inside the world where he’s sending students. Future moonlighting options may examine the thrills and learning experiences in tech entrepreneurship: “I’m interested in startups, and seeing what it is like fending for yourself.”
And, you can bet it’ll turn into another educational opportunity for his students. “I get really excited about the new tools I learn while in industry,” he says, “and I can’t wait to share that knowledge with students. I know they’ll love this stuff.”
Schools
Lessons from Google
Rose prof brings high-tech lessons back to class
- Schools
-
-
Bruce’s history lessons: Truman’s decision to recognize Israel
This week (May 14) in 1948, at the direction of President Harry Truman, the United States recognized the existence of the newly formed state of Israel, which had declared independence earlier that day. It was, Truman later stated, among the most important decisions of his presidency.
- Reunion listings: May 16, 2013
-
Chances and Services for Youth to participate in food program
The Chances and Services for Youth recently announced plans to participate in the Summer Food Service Program.
-
South Latin students compete at convention
Terre Haute South Vigo High School Latin students competed with other Indiana schools at the recent state convention at ISU.
-
Southwest Parke School Corp. receives eLearning grant
Southwest Parke Community School Corp. has received an Imagining and Creating eLearning grant for the 2013-2014 school year through the Indiana Department of Education.
- Newsmakers: May 16, 2013
-
Otter Creek competes in regional Academic Super Bowl
The Otter Creek Academic Super Bowl teams competed in the regional Academic Super Bowl competition on April 27 at Sarah Scott Middle School.
-
Riverton Parke FFA teams compete at April 16 contest
Two Riverton Parke FFA Parliamentary Procedure Teams competed at the section competition for the Parliamentary Procedure Demonstration Contest on April 16 at the Indiana FFA Center in Trafalgar.
-
Parks offering summer day camp
The Terre Haute Parks and Recreation Department is now accepting registrations for its summer day camp.
-
State recognizes counties for improving college success
Indiana Commissioner for Higher Education Teresa Lubbers recognized 26 Indiana counties for working to increase the percentage of Hoosiers with education beyond high school. The counties are members of Indiana’s College Success Coalition, a statewide network focused on improving college access and success.
-
College Challenge program earns accreditation
Indiana State University’s College Challenge program for high school students has earned initial accreditation from the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships.
-
ISP offers youth an up close look at law enforcement
Most television viewers have seen at least part of a CSI or Law and Order episode. These shows seem to have spurred a new interest in law enforcement and forensics. For more than 40 years the Indiana State Police have been giving young people an up close look at law enforcement through its youth camps program.
-
Goals, Pride & Achievements: May 16, 2013
Alyssa A. Barnes of Clinton graduated from Purdue University on Sunday.
She has a bachelor’s degree in hospitality and tourism management, with a minor in psychology. -
Woodrow Wilson students collect funds for animals
The leadership team from Woodrow Wilson Middle School sponsored a week of giving to collect funds and supplies for the Terre Haute Humane shelter.
-
Riverton Parke academic bowl team finishes strong
The Riverton Parke English academic bowl team finished as runner-up at the state finals competition on May 4 at Purdue University, and the social studies team swept through all of its last eight questions without a miss to finish third in the contest.
-
Turkey Run High School names top 2013 students
Kaleigh Basan has been named valedictorian and Jeff Woods and Kendall Davies are co-salutatorians for the Turkey Run High School Class of 2013.
Graduation ceremonies will be in the high school gymnasium at 11 a.m. May 25 with 36 students receiving their diplomas. -
Bruce’s history lessons: Spring Cleaning 2013
Time for my annual “Spring Cleaning” column, in which I address reader issues and answer “Frequently Asked Questions.”
-
Moats gets ISU Rankin Award
Indiana State University has honored Katelynn Moats of Terre Haute with the Rankin Memorial Distinguished Senior Award in recognition of her contributions to the betterment of the university.
-
Turkey Run to honor seniors
Turkey Run High School will hold its senior awards and recognition program at 7 p.m. Monday in the ELC room. A reception will be held from 6 to 7 p.m.
The program for freshmen to juniors will be held at 1:32 p.m. May 16 in the high school gymnasium. -
Honey Creek math club earns gold status
Honey Creek Middle School has received Gold Level Status as a participant of the 2013 MATHCOUNTS Club.
-
Riverton Parke students bring home art awards
Students from 15 schools in west central Indiana competed in the 34th annual d’Arlier Trust Spring Art Show on April 19-25 in Veedersburg. Four Riverton Parke High School students won a total of nine awards in six of the show’s 20 categories.
-
Parke Adult Tutoring Service awards mini-grant
The Parke Adult Tutoring Service has awarded a mini-grant of $270 to Riverton Parke English teacher Mike Lunsford to purchase reading materials for his students.
- Vigo County School Corp. Honor Roll — Middle School, Second Grading Period
-
BRUCE’S HISTORY LESSONS: The Civil War: Means versus ends
The Civil War began this week (April 12) in 1861 with the shelling of the Union fort, Fort Sumter, by Confederate troops in South Carolina. Four years later that war ended with the total defeat of the Confederacy, and in the war’s wake many historians have concluded that a Union victory was inevitable given the huge advantages that the Union North had in terms of manpower, weaponry, manufacturing and industrial capacity.
-
SMWC honored for ‘Pomeroy Pride’
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College received a silver award from the “Higher Education Marketing Report” 28th Annual Educational Advertising Awards. The full-page ad publicly announced the launch of the SMWC’s campaign to build a sports and recreation center, titled the “Pomeroy Pride Campaign.”
-
ISU students garner awards at ITEEA conference
A group of Indiana State University technology and engineering education students talked to each other over walkie-talkies as they recently went to Columbus, Ohio, in a three-car caravan.
-
Indiana State to be recognized for ‘Celebrating Sustainability’
Indiana State University will be recognized in two venues this month as one of 20 colleges and universities nationwide that exemplify the mission of the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment to re-stabilize the earth’s climate through education, research and community engagement.
-
Pimento reunion dinner set for May 11
The Pimento School reunion dinner will be held May 11 at Hoosier Prairie School. Friendship hour will begin at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m. A meeting and program will conclude the evening.
-
ISU taking applications for Summer Honors program
Indiana State University is accepting applications from talented high school students interested in taking part in this year’s Summer Honors program.
-
ISU student selected as a Newman Fellow
Katelynn Taylor, a junior at Indiana State University, is one of 181 student leaders nationwide selected by Campus Compact as 2013 Newman Civic Fellows.
- More Schools Headlines
-
Bruce’s history lessons: Truman’s decision to recognize Israel
Conn. Commuter Trains Collide; 60 Go to Hospital
Coffee Run Leads to Hatchet Hitchhiker Arrest
Fmr. IRS Head Insists No Politics in Targeting
CDC: Fecal Bacteria Common in Swimming Pools
Lotto Fever Sweeps the Country
Raw: Driver Ejected From Truck, Over Bridge
Raw: 6 Die in Russian Ship Fire
Horse Saved From Slaughter, Goes on to Win Big
NM Mom Chases Down Child Abductor
China, Others Want What's Under the Arctic Ice
Dying Man's Blinks Lead to Murder Conviction
Raw: Obama Sits Down With Elementary Kids
Officials: Texas Tornado Likely Had 200 Mph Wind
Raw: Texas Gov. Flies Over Tornado Damage
Raw: Suicide Bomber Kills 2 Americans, 13 Others
Terror Suspect Due in Court in Idaho Friday
Raw: Crash Sends Car Into Fla. Pool
Raw: Germany Protestors Picket Barbie House
$1 Million in Jewels Stolen at Cannes Film Fest
ShowBiz Minute: Jolie, Jackson, 24
Coffee Stop Leads To Arrest Of YouTube Sensation Wanted For Murder
Bearded Dragon Reunited With Owner
Marine Reunited with Warzone Companion
Beyonce Is Pregnant!
SF baseball player overpaid $500,000 RETURNS money -- and team says KEEP IT
Dad returns from Afghanistan, surprises family during Rays' first pitch
See Jennifer Lopez's New $10m Hamptons Mansion
Woman tricked into taking abortion pill
Emma Watson Goes Pantless
IRS scandal: Republicans seek to tie Obama to agency's woes
Play of the Day: Flipping to Safety
Pregnant Kim Kardashian Squeezes Her Swollen Feet Into Stilettos
Top Videos of the Week: Angry Taco Bell Guy, Glacier Moves on House, Dog Hates Baths
Cindy Crawford Stuns At Cannes
Raw: Marines Come to Obama's Aid in the Rain
CUTE: Monkey shares lollipop with dog, then HITS pooch on head with it
Miranda Kerr Looks Sexy in a Bikini Photo Shoot
