Benjamin Chambers, Ph.D.

Education

Ph.D. Environmental Design and Planning, BioBuild, Virginia Tech, 2018
M.S. Entomology, Virginia Tech, 2017
M.S. Civil Engineering, Virginia Tech, 2014
B.S. Integrated Science and Technology, James Madison University, 2006

Teaching/Courses Taught

Foundations of Engineering I (ENGE 1215)
Foundations of Engineering II (ENGE 1216)
Create! Ideation and Innovation (ENGE 2094)

Biography

Dr. Ben Chambers is an Associate Professor of Practice in the Department of Engineering Education at Virginia Tech, and Director of the Frith First Year Makers program and of the Minecraft Museum of Engineering. His research focuses include creativity-based pedagogy, the interactions of non-humans with the built environment, and the built environment as a tool for teaching at the nexus of biology and engineering. He earned his graduate degrees from Virginia Tech, including an M.S. Civil Infrastructure Engineering, M.S. LFS Entomology, and a Ph.D. in Environmental Design and Planning as part of the BioBuild program.

Research Interests

• Creativity and self-expression in engineering courses
• The built environment as a learning tool for engineering, biology, and ecology
• Insect interactions with buildings

Recent Publications

Chambers, B.D., Murzi, H., James, M., Gray, D., Matusovich, H.M. (2021) “Course Development in a First Year Engineering Program: The Interplay of Autonomy, Peer Relationships, and Content.” International Journal of Engineering Education.

Chambers, B.D., Reid, K.J. (2021) “Looking Ahead: From Driving Cars in The Lobby to Online: Using Open Creative Expression To Understand Student Emotions About Transitioning To Remote Instruction During The COVID-19 Crisis.” Advances in Engineering Education.

Chambers, B.D. (2021) “Student-Developed Plans for Use of Maker Spaces in a Self-Selected Creative Design Project” Full Paper for 2021 First-Year Engineering Experience. Online.

Chambers, B.D. (2021) “Using a University Campus to Expand the Understanding of Design for Human and Non-Human Stakeholders in First-Year General Engineering Students” Full Paper for 2021 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exhibition. Online.Chambers, B.D., Reichard, G., Kuhar, T.K., Leskey, T.C., Pearce, A.R., (2021) “Exploring thermal contrast in walls as a possible factor in the winter shelter seeking behavior of Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)” Journal of Entomological Science 56 (1), 111-115

Chambers, B.D., Kuhar, T.P., Leskey, T.C., Reichard, G., Pearce, A.R., (2020) Negative Gravitaxis in Overwintering Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae). Journal of Agricultural and Urban Entomology 36 (1), 109-114

Chambers, B.D., Leskey, T.C., Cullum, J.P., Kuhar, T.P, Pearce, A.R., (2020) Cavity Tightness Preferences of Overwintering Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae). Journal of Economic Entomology 113 (3), 1572-1575

Matusovich, H., Murzi, H., Gray, D., Chambers, B.D., James, M. (2020) ""An Autoethnography: Outcomes from Faculty Engagement in Course Development in a Large First-Year Engineering Program"", ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition 2020, First-Year Programs Division, Online. June 22-26.

Chambers, B.D., Kuhar, T.K., Reichard, G., Leskey, T.C., Pearce, A.R. (2019) “Size Restrictions on the Passage of Overwintering Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) through Openings.” Journal of Economic Entomology, toz010 | Abstract

Chambers, B.D., Leskey, T.C., Pearce, A.R., Kuhar, T.K. (2019) “Responses of Overwintering Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) to Dead Conspecifics.” Journal of Economic Entomology, toz011 | Abstract

Professional Affiliations

American Society for Engineering Education
American Society of Civil Engineers
Entomological Society of America