Jeffrey Grossman, the Morton and Claire Goulder and Family Professor in Environmental Systems and a MacVicar Faculty Fellow, was recently appointed the new head of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering.
Grossman’s research on learning includes a study on better sleep habits for college students. The study found an interesting correlation between how much sleep students were getting and their grades. Consistent and earlier bedtimes were found to have an impact on learning effectiveness. And much like cram studying, cram sleeping is not effective--the sleep needs to be over a longer period of time.
“Grossman’s passion for teaching and outstanding contributions to education are evident through courses such as 3.091 (Introduction to Solid-State Chemistry) — within which Grossman applies MIT’s “mens-et-manus” (mind-and-hand) learning philosophy. He uses “goodie bags” containing tools and materials that he covers in his lectures, encouraging hands-on learning and challenging students to ask big questions, take chances, and collaborate with one another.” - MIT School of Engineering
Grossman was also named an MIT MacVicar Faculty Fellow in 2016 and received the Bose Award for Excellence in Teaching. You can learn more about his new appointment here.