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Alumna Profile: Oh, the Places You Go
OH, THE PLACES YOU GO ONCE YOU DISCOVER THE LOVE OF LEARNING
Dr. Lauren Briens ‘87
Award-winning Engineering Professor & Aspiring Ballet Dancer
The first impression one gets in engaging with SMLS alumna Lauren TRIBE Briens ‘87 is one of high energy, passion and commitment. That might explain why she is the 2021 recipient of the Western University Engineering’s R. Mohan Mathur Award for Excellence in Teaching. The award is presented annually to an outstanding faculty member to recognize exceptional contributions to teaching and the promotion of academic excellence.
Among her many plaudits are the development of several undergrad and graduate courses, including an experiential learning course - Engineering Coffee! More on that later. She also created a first-of-itskind experiential Engineering in a Global Context course in 2016.
It’s no secret that a shift to interdisciplinary, real-world learning has mobilized the independent school sector in recent years. It’s something that has been promoted by the World Economic Forum and other leading global think tanks. When asked about this recent movement, Lauren responded “I don’t think I’ve ever not been there. From my earliest days at SMLS, with my parents’ encouragement, I’ve always had the mindset that you can learn just as much outside of the classroom as inside. That’s the approach I take with my students and it’s
The creativity and curiosity that SMLS helps foster in students leads to the most interesting of careers and opportunities. Photo credit: Joel Eckel.
what I observe happening at SMLS as well.
“It’s so very important that students at all stages of their learning understand how to connect the dots,” Lauren continues. “We need to teach students how to ask questions, how to relentlessly explore, how to use and choose the tools we can provide and how to continue to grow. We really can’t teach them, at the university level, everything they need to know. We can, though, and must, lead them to a point where they see patterns emerge and they can discover how lessons matter in their real-world applications.”
Reflecting on her personal education journey, Lauren observed, “My first degree was in science, but what bothered me was that I couldn’t see why the theories and principles mattered. What was the practical application of the study? That’s when I switched to engineering. I experienced the reality of learning. It became tangible and my students are the same. They are motivated by understanding real-world outcomes.”
Lauren’s focus on chemical engineering meant that she needed to double-down on bringing this comprehension of impact to bear. “Our area of study in engineering is a little more challenging. If you’re in mechanical engineering you witness the application in how a car works. If you’re a civil engineer, you understand how a bridge is built. “So I needed to make chemical engineering understandable to a 16-year-old, and I first found that avenue in exploring how it related to cosmetics. That clearly doesn’t appeal to all of my students but when I moved on to create the Engineering Coffee program that proved to have universal appeal. And, it’s fun!”
Fun matters to Lauren. “As a child, learning is fun. As we progress in our education, we somehow lose the joy of learning - tuition, grades, life pressures - and I am committed to recreating the joy for my students.”
Lauren is a powerful advocate for women in engineering. “It’s critical that female students see women leading in the industry and the classroom until this becomes the norm and not an exception. If I can help to inspire the next generation of female engineers or help clear a pathway, that would be great,” she concluded.
Lauren views SMLS as a pioneer in moving her vision forward. She has experienced real-world learning and has been able to turn that into an awardwinning career. Now, in her role with SMLS’s Board of Governors, she helps to drive the direction of the school and its vision for empowered women who are challenging and transforming the world.
Finally, when asked for one piece of advice to impart to today’s Millies, Lauren was succinct: “Be brave. Try something outside of your comfort zone. Try something new.” Real-world learning never stops.
At SMLS, we find that once the foundation has been set and our Millies discover their love of learning, they are courageous and confident and capable of embracing all challenges. Take Lauren, for example, who recently returned to embracing her love for ballet. “I’m easily the oldest in the class and the least experienced. But I decided I was just going to be brave and try.”
That’s how you walk the talk, and that’s how Lauren Briens leads.
Far left: Examples of recent hands-on, real-world learning in SMLS’s Middle School. Left: Lauren Brien’s specially created university course combines and demonstrates chemical engineering in an experiential learning setting using coffee as a teaching tool.
