STS.053 Multidisciplinary Interactive Learning Through Problem-Solving

This problem-solving course is located at the intersection of the humanities, arts and social sciences (HASS) and STEM, communities, corporations, government, foundations, and multilateral organizations. It is designed to equip students with skills essential for multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary problem-solving (MDPS) skills. It answers two basic questions position the discipline as a tool and ingredient in MDPS:

1. How may students deploy the skills they are acquiring in their degree program in a multi-disciplinary, multi-cultural design-build team so that it brings its own unique and indispensable perspective?

2. What culture of collaboration can ensure that all disciplines and non-academic knowledges are valid at their own terms and not in the service of other, ‘more superior’ ones?

The specific problem this class is contributing to solving is Climate and Sustainability, with a focus on building capacity within marginalized communities in the United States and internationally to solve their own problems. The instructor believes that students and faculty can play the role of bridge between MIT and their communities and act as catalysts on either end, but only if they are effectively trained at the intersection of STEM, the HASS, and society itself.

Most of the case study material for this class is derived from ongoing work under the Practical Field Lab initiative that Professor Mavhunga (MIT), Prof. Ndirangu Kioni (Dedan Kimathi University of Technology, Kenya, and Prof. Tamuka Nhiwatiwa (University of Namibia) are leading. They lab has three nodes, each with its own specialty as follows: Dedan Kimathi University of Technology (innovating with indigenous knowledge; developing sustainable freshwater fish value chains); Research || Design || Build (RDB) in Zimbabwe (rural industrialization; freshwater fish value chains); and University of Namibia (Aquaponics food production in Desert/Drought-prone Environments).

Students who take this class will get first preference to travel to Kenya for the IAP practical field lab, and to summer-intern in Kenya, Zimbabwe, and Namibia embedded in 25 exciting ongoing projects to gain practical hands-on experience in working with communities.

The inaugural Practical Field Lab launched successfully in Kenya in January 2024 with 4 MIT and 14 Dedan Kimathi University students.

Professor Chakanetsa Mavhunga, Program in Science, Technology, & Society, MIT

Professor Ndirangu Kioni, mechanical engineering (Dedan Kimathi University)

Professor Tamuka Nhiwatiwa, marine biology (University of Nambia)