Late professor emeritus Woodie Flowers was a student at MIT who believed in a hands-on approach to engineering education that focused on making things work. Flowers transformed the class 2.70, now known as Design and Manufacturing I, into a project-based, robotics-competition-focused experience that captured the imagination and enthusiasm of students. Flowers’ approach revolutionized engineering education, bringing back the hands-on aspect that had been displaced by lectures. Flowers’ legacy lives on through the impact he had on STEM education globally.
Flowers’ unique teaching style and emphasis on practical, project-based learning led to the development of course 2.70/2.007, a landmark class in engineering education that teaches students how to design and build objects. This class also inspired the creation of the FIRST Robotics program, founded by Flowers and Dean Kamen in 1989, which has engaged millions of students worldwide.
Students in 2.007 work with a kit of mechanical parts and materials, incorporating 3D printed components and electronics to build robots for competitions. The competitions have featured themes inspired by popular culture, with the most recent one being a celebration of Flowers’ life and work.
Flowers’ impact on engineering education is evident in the continued emphasis on hands-on learning and creativity in design engineering. His legacy lives on through the innovative approaches to teaching that he championed at MIT and beyond. Flowers’ belief that designing and building things should be fun has left a lasting impression on generations of students and educators.
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