This paper briefly outlines three initiatives that the University of Toronto (U of T) Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering (FASE) has implemented as initial steps as the institution strives to be anti-racist and address Black inclusivity. These initiatives were based within K-12 outreach, race-based data collection and creating opportunities for faculty-wide race-centric dialogue and learning. U of T FASE was compelled to develop and/or enhance such initiatives after an anti-Black racist incident between students was mishandled and criticized by Black student groups. Using critical race theory (CRT) and personal reflection, this paper highlighted several barriers to the implementation and/or success of these initiatives such as time, financial security, perception of institutional policy and/or provincial law, engineering culture and whiteness and/or colour evasiveness. While definitive solutions to these barriers may not be clear, having a designated champion for specific initiatives, addressing discomfort in differentiating race, consistent advocacy to senior administration and the self-empowerment to resource time and effort to such work were identified as key elements to drive initiatives within the context of U of T FASE.

It has been over 30 years since science and engineering classrooms were first described as “chilly” environments for women. Since then many engineering programs in Ontario have worked to diversify their student populations with a particular focus on recruiting more women into engineering education. Despite the increase in the number of women enrolled in engineering education, incidents of sexism and microaggressions based on sexual orientation and race continue to be experienced by women in these programs.  In many engineering faculties in Ontario work on equity, diversity and inclusion is still fairly new. Members of the community who are marginalized need to be consulted in order for this work to be impactful on their experience. This paper uses an intersectional framework to present preliminary results on what women studying in undergraduate engineering programs believe their universities could do to make engineering education more inclusive. This paper argues that women students in engineering are still in search of a community. Our women students want more representation of women in engineering, further education and awareness of equity issues, acknowledgement of their experiences and opportunities to connect with other women in engineering.

"Why do we study limits?" "How would I calculate 7π/4 without a calculator?" "There are several trigonometric formulas, how can I memorize them?" These are a few of the frequent questions asked by engineering students who seek the help of the Learning Strategist, a professional who advises students on academic skills. Attempting to memorize formulas and problem solutions without understanding their origin is common among engineering students. Consequently, students often disregard or are unaware of how formulas are derived, and they do not allocate time to find patterns that connect these formulas to the concepts they are learning in class. Investing time to study the origin and assumptions underlying formulas can be rewarding yet this process has a steep learning curve. Once mastered, understanding the derivation of commonly used formulas and mathematical patterns saves students’ energy and time by giving them tools to quickly solve difficult engineering problems. In this paper, we demonstrate the process of problem-solving and pattern finding through a fun activity that can be utilized in lectures or tutorials to create in students an appreciation of the basics. The activity shows the importance of finding and understanding patterns and how to extend these findings into solutions. Through recognition of patterns, students can develop higher order thinking skills and the ability to derive formulas from their skeletal form. The goal of this project is to investigate the impact of instructors including pattern finding activities within their classrooms.

Educational innovations and just-in-time supports spread more quickly through social networks thanthrough traditional dissemination avenues. Therefore, in coordinating national level support efforts for the shift to online and remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, one of the principal strategies of theEngineering Collaboration for Online and Remote Education (E-CORE/CIEL) Project was to developnational Communities of Practice (CoPs) to foster connections between instructors. Using an autoethnographic process, this reflective paper aims to synthesize the learnings from the team working to cultivate these CoPs. The analysis of the reflections provides insight on: the needs of the Canadian community of engineering educators during a year of remote education, the perceivedbenefits of engaging in CoPs, considerations for cultivating CoPs in different contexts, andrecommendations for future cross-institutional CoP efforts.