Larry Musolino
CENTER VALLEY, Pa. — Larry Musolino, assistant teaching professor of mathematics at Penn State Lehigh Valley, is the recipient of the 2025 Teaching and Learning with Technology Impact Award.
The Teaching and Learning with Technology Impact Award celebrates the accomplishments of faculty members whose work transforms education through the use of technology. The award is given in recognition of excellence represented by a single contribution or series of contributions.
Musolino says he views technology as a way to enhance student engagement, learning outcomes and preparation for careers in a technology-driven world. He uses technology to make math more understandable and enjoyable for students.
“In every endeavor, Musolino exemplifies the qualities celebrated by this award,” a nominator said. “His contributions reflect a rare combination of technical expertise, pedagogical innovation and an unwavering dedication to student success. He is not just an adopter of new technologies but a leader in using them to create meaningful and lasting educational experiences.”
Musolino finds numerous ways to incorporate technology. He finds it helps students understand, visualize and commit to memory key concepts. It also keeps them engaged and promotes deeper understanding of math concepts.
One course he designed merges math and art. Students engage in various technology-based projects to explore how math intersects with art, architecture, nature, music, dance and other areas. Some projects include generating artwork using computer-generated mathematical shapes, using 3D printing to create logos and other designs based on mathematical foundations and using AI tools to generate math-based artwork.
“The use of technology in this course has had a very significant impact on student learning and students’ overall perspective on mathematics,” Musolino said. “Student response has been overwhelmingly positive regarding the projects and technology in the course. Students have told me the course and hands-on activities definitely changed their perspective on appreciating the beauty of mathematics, and they had a new appreciation for the widespread applicability of math concepts in the world around us. Students have told me they were excited to come to class and some students went on to do additional research and form new connections of mathematical ideas to topics in their majors.”
Musolino enjoys incorporating technology in his courses such as the use of data visualization tools, as well as the use of fractals, tessellations and coding to create artwork with mathematical connections.
“The use of technology in my teaching has resulted in improved student engagement with mathematics, personalized learning, and enhanced intellectual growth and curiosity,” Musolino said. “I can also definitively state that my use of technology in my teaching has resulted in improved student self-discovery, motivation to learn, and student success, which will serve students long after they leave Penn State.”
