TEDxLaf - Steve Kurtz - Altering Your Perception of Beer

Steve Kurtz grew up on the same family farm on which his mother grew up, in rural New Jersey (please forgive the oxymoron). His childhood was immersed in the hands-on work of farming, whether it was working with machinery, repairing buildings, or herding cattle. His young adulthood was similarly immersed in hands-on work, as his summers were spent as a full-time laborer for his father's construction company, beginning at the age of fourteen.

Entering Rutgers College in 1988, he initially intended to study history, but soon realized that his background and interests were ideally suited for Civil Engineering. At Rutgers, he received a BS in Civil Engineering and a BA in Economics. From there, he worked as a construction manager for several years before a strong desire to teach drew him back to Rutgers for an MS and a PhD in Structural Engineering.

After two years as an Assistant Professor at the University of Missouri, his dream of working at a student-centered institution was fulfilled when he was offered a faculty position at Lafayette College in 2002.

His teaching philosophy and methods are the direct results of his life experience. In the classroom, he places great emphasis on hands-on physical demonstrations of engineering problems, with the belief that physical, tactile experience is among the most efficient ways of understanding engineering problems. More than that, however, his passion for teaching is fueled by a life-long dissatisfaction with formal education. From Kindergarten to the PhD, he was continually disappointed by the lack of passion in the classroom. He believes that formal education, in the context of human history, is an exceedingly rare gift that should be greeted with great enthusiasm, daily. In the words of Johnny Unitas: "You're a long time dead. Why not enjoy every day?"

AboutTEDx, x = independently organized event In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

[geniemist]

I recommend song from Psychostick - Beer is Good xD