Federico Bassetti is the Assistant Director of Innovation Ecosystem Development in the Division of Research and Innovation Partnerships. Federico taught an honors seminar in the fall 2025 semester titled, “Back to Open Source: Collaborating Beyond Code”

Why were you attracted to offering an honors seminar?

I wanted to teach an Honors seminar because it creates space for exploration. The Honors setting is ideal for trying new ideas, such as my seminar, Collaborating Beyond Code, which explores open-source projects grounded in transparency, community, and creativity. My goal was to build a space where students learn by contributing, not just by consuming information.

How do you teach your subject or specialty to an interdisciplinary group of Honors students?

I approach teaching as a studio rather than a traditional classroom. Students from different backgrounds work together to solve problems, and I design flexible structures that let everyone bring their own perspectives and fields into the discussion. In our course, students use GitHub to document, share, and reflect on their learning, treating knowledge building as a collaborative process.

What are some of your tricks of the trade to engage students in the course materials?

I try to make concepts meaningful by connecting them to students’ experiences. Each week, I learn about their perspectives through reflections and discussions. I also leave space for improvisation; some of the best learning happens when things don’t go as planned.

What’s the best thing about teaching Honors students?

Honors students are highly self-motivated and eager to connect ideas across disciplines. The best part is watching them realize that collaboration leads to innovation and impact. Their openness to experimentation and their support for one another make every class rewarding.

Any other insights you’d like to share?

Teaching in the Honors Program has shown me that students do their best work when they’re trusted as co-creators. When the classroom becomes a collaborative lab, learning feels authentic and transformative.