Regents\u2019 Professor and Martin-Springer Institute Director Bj\u00f6rn Krondorfer inspires his students with multi-layered learning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Whether traveling to a Bedouin village in Israel, developing a traveling exhibit, or publishing a book, Northern Arizona University students who embark on a Martin-Springer Institute<\/a> project with Bj\u00f6rn Krondorfer<\/a> encounter a distinctive learning experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The institute\u2019s dual mandate is clearly stated in its phrase, \u201cglobal engagement through Holocaust awareness.\u201d Under Krondorfer\u2019s directorship, the Flagstaff campus and community have an opportunity to relate the experiences of the Holocaust to today\u2019s concerns, crises, and conflicts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This approach links past and present and promotes values such as moral courage, tolerance, and reconciliation that cross disciplinary boundaries. Such purpose-driven work attracts students from across the NAU campus. Institute projects benefit from the students\u2019 diverse skills and interests, and students gain empathy for their peers and the larger world, no matter what their career goals are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt is personally gratifying to work with students simultaneously on different levels of learning,\u201d Krondorfer said. \u201cA collaborative spirit and learning happen on the factual and research level, but often involve group dynamics. You have to learn how to work with people\u2019s personalities. In a team, that is very important.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The institute offers applied, transdisciplinary research opportunities outside a traditional class structure: \u201cWe don\u2019t follow a cookie-cutter model. It\u2019s whatever seems right for a project,\u201d said Krondorfer, who is also an Endowed Professor of Religious Studies in the Department of Comparative Cultural Studies<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Most students are drawn by an initial interest but usually come without much background. But they leave with a lot<\/em> of knowledge.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Students contribute their respective strengths to help complete the projects. Education students brainstorm resources to accompany a website. Students in history and gender studies research and conduct interviews. Graphic design students find common ground with computer science students on coding and presentation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cExpertise that people bring from their background is what we need,\u201d said Krondorfer. \u201cThey learn from each other what is doable and appreciate how much time it takes to do a project well.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Projects generally last up to two semesters. Previous projects include:<\/p>\n\n\n\nTeamwork challenges students to grow<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n