Engineering Understanding: Bobby Hodgkinson on AI, Aerospace & Rethinking Learning Smarter Campus Podcast Ep 20

In Episode 20 of the Smarter Campus Podcast, host Zach Kinzler sits down with Bobby Hodgkinson, a teaching professor of Aerospace Engineering at the University of Colorado Boulder, whose work spans unmanned vehicles, hurricane-sensor robotics, and now—AI-powered education.What starts as a story about wind tunnels and biologically-inspired propulsion systems quickly evolves into a conversation about something just as dynamic: the transformation of teaching through AI. Bobby shares:His early work on underwater and aerial vehicles to measure hurricanesHow experiential labs at CU Boulder help students bridge theory and practiceWhy AI made him completely rethink how technical writing is taughtHis vision for automated tutoring and AI tools that assess and support student understanding in real-timeWhether you’re in STEM education or just curious how AI is reshaping how we understand understanding, this episode is a must-listen.