Sticky Innovation: Solving the Problem of the Bees through Engineering and Art

Sticky Innovation was a challenging course that encouraged open-ended problem solving. The course introduced the idea of “wicked problems”, which are problems that are so intertwined with other problems that they can’t be solved using traditional methods. In this class, the wicked problem that we looked at was the problem of Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) in bees. The basic premise of CCD is that honeybee colonies are suddenly dying off and vanishing across the globe. This course had us first research the problem and identify some of the causes. Once we had done some research on the matter, we then were able to move forward and attempt to come up with solutions to the wicked problem.

An interesting concept brought up in the class was the idea of arts-based research. Arts-based research is the idea that art can be research in and of itself. This challenges the traditional notion of research requiring the scientific method and only using art as a tool, if at all. The idea of arts-based research allowed me to open up the possibilities of how the problem of CCD could be tackled. Throughout the class, it was a challenge to break away from the concept of research that has been drilled into me by engineering school and even pre-college coursework. This challenge was needed however, as it is very easy to get set in your own ways and get complacent.

Sticky Innovation allowed me to see multiple ways of doing things outside of how I would typically go about classes. Through various mediums of research and the interdisciplinary nature of the other students, I was able to look at solving advanced, or wicked, problems like CCD through a more holistic lens. I believe that looking through a more diverse lens will help me see alternative solutions in the future; in college, in my career, and even in my daily life.


Artifacts

Greenacres Reflection

This is an assignment from the class that had us reflect on our visit to the Greenacres Foundation farm



Book Club Reflection

This is an assignment from the class that had us read a book and present it in class



Ideal Bee Reflection

This is an assignment from the class that had us create an innovation to the bee itself



Final Project Reflection

This is an assignment from the class that had us create a solution to the bee problem