Ari Bortman: Student to Educator

The Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics (MEAM) department welcomes back one of its own, Ari Bortman (he/him), as the newest Educational Lab Coordinator. In a recent interview, Ari shared his journey from student to educator and his vision for fostering hands-on learning experiences. Ari's connection to MEAM runs deep, having completed both his bachelor's and master's degrees in the department in 2022 and 2023, respectively. Reflecting on his time as a student, Ari fondly reminisces about the transformative experiences that have shaped his trajectory. "The things I worked on and learned here at Penn have taken me all around the world," said Ari. "From being a machinist, carpenter, and fabricator crafting precision parts for industry, to designing and creating interactive experiences for children's museums, teaching mathematics in the Swiss Alps, installing solar panels worldwide, to hiking as a professional backcountry backpacking guide in Yosemite National Park." Ari's return to MEAM is fueled by a fervent desire to empower students. His eclectic background has endowed him with a multifaceted outlook on education, igniting his enthusiasm to nurture real-world competencies among MEAM's students. He seeks to instigate collaborative endeavors, innovative problem-solving initiatives, and community-driven projects, aiming to transform MEAM into a nucleus for cultivating technical prowess alongside a profound sense of purpose and social responsibility. In his quest to empower MEAM students, Ari emphasizes the importance of advancing justice and supporting communities. "I'm here to help them find how they can get out into the world and be an engineer in a way that's meaningful to them," Ari asserts. "That reaches into every aspect of life, from having fun and enjoying what they do, to exploring how we as engineers can work to advance justice, be drivers of real, restorative change, and support our communities." Beyond his professional endeavors, Ari's love for Philadelphia and its vibrant culture is palpable. Whether rock climbing, backpacking, or simply lounging in a hammock, Ari finds solace and inspiration in the city and its surroundings.