Teaching Lean Thinking to Kids: A Conversation with Alan Goodman

In this episode of the WLEI podcast, LEI speaks with Alan Goodman, professor and department chair of quality engineering at Milwaukee Area Technical College. Alan spent his career in operations at GE before becoming a professor. The podcast explores his recent work to teach young students lean skills to prepare them for careers after school.

In the discussion, we explore: 

• Alan's background in lean and how he's transferring his skills to students through a program he's grown from a one-week online course to a year-round initiative. 
• Getting students interested in lean concepts through interactive games and how to apply these lessons to adult learning.
• Alan's vision to partner with companies to create a pipeline for students to enter the workforce from school.
• Methods Alan incorporates new technologies like AI and gamification into his teaching methods to foster creativity and critical thinking. 

 

If you'd like to support Alan's work, check out https://cityonahillmke.org.