Bruce Oberhardt Lectures to NCCU STEM Students on Problem Solving Skills & Critical Thinking

RALEIGH, N.C. - April 29, 2014 - PRLog -- North Carolina Central University received a grant from the North Carolina GlaxoSmithKline Foundation for STEM (science, technology, engineering or mathematics) scholarships and program enhancements. The goal of the grant is to assist NCCU in its efforts to increase the number of women and minority students who graduate with a STEM degree and pursue STEM careers.

Dr. Oberhardt stressed the importance of problem solving skills in society, companies, and for advancing careers.  Oberhardt stated, “The ability to tackle and solve extremely difficult and important problems has been the key to the greatest innovations in history.  Innovations, more than any other factors, have propelled the US economy since the industrial revolution.  More than ever before, jobs are threatened by technology and outsourcing.  Problem solving skills are becoming a must-have talent to stay competitive and valuable in today’s dynamic job market.  Problem solvers generate economic growth and create new jobs and companies.  They are our greatest assets for building the future economy.”

After explaining issues associated with finding and validating what he terms BIPs (big, important problems), Dr. Oberhardt led two teams of students in a short workshop utilizing problem solving techniques.  The teams attacked, analyzed and generated problem solving strategies. One student enthused, “These exercises showing the many ways to solve a problem were very helpful.”

Faye J. Calhoun, NC GlaxoSmithKline Foundation STEM Program Director, shared that the presentation was extremely well received. “Dr. Oberhardt had spoken about problem solving skills in 2013 and we were thrilled to have him back to lecture about Dragonfly Thinking.  Many of the students returned to hear him speak again. Our students were engaged during his passionate presentation.” Calhoun continued, “We received positive feedback including, ‘The presentation taught me a new way to analyze a process’ and his material was ‘relevant to the concepts we need to learn and was easy to understand’.  Students were thrilled they ‘learned to approach a problem from different vantage points for more understanding.’ ”

Dr. Oberhardt explained, “Not all answers are found on search engines. In your future work, in your career, a search engine will not solve problems that you will encounter. Dragonfly Thinking will teach you how to identify and solve big important problems using critical thinking and problem solving techniques in a creative and highly effective way. A successful solution to an important problem can lead to the next advancement in your career.” To watch a short video with Dr. Oberhardt about Dragonfly Thinking please visit: http://youtu.be/e0FiYDWRxTw



For more information about Dr. Bruce Oberhardt please visit:

http://bruceoberhardt.com

Dr. Oberhardt can be reached at bruce@bruceoberhardt.com (mailto:%20bruce@bruceoberhardt.com)
 or (919) 848-6520.

About Bruce Oberhardt, Ph.D.

Dr. Bruce Oberhardt is a biomedical engineer and entrepreneur, known for promoting creative, critical thinking and spearheading first-of-a-kind technological developments in the fields of cardiovascular and blood diseases, diabetes and cancer.   Dr. Oberhardt is a professional speaker and conducts workshops in problem solving techniques. His book Dragonfly Thinking focuses on problem solving skills and problem solving activities to engage people in creative problem solving. He founded BJO Biomedical LLC, a business that focuses on biomedical consulting and technology incubation.

Dr. Oberhardt has won numerous awards, including the North Carolina Governor’s Award for Outstanding Entrepreneurial Contribution and the North Carolina Biomedical Entrepreneur of the Year award.