MOOC “Circular Economy: An Introduction

by MARIA GODOY VIVARMOOC CoursesPosted on One Comment

Even after seeing circular economy concepts many times during the master, finishing the edX MOOC “Circular Economy: An Introduction” was surprisingly refreshing and helped to dive deeper into ideas that now feel much more concrete. Revisiting the topic with a structured focus on real cases and design strategies made the whole picture of a circular system more practical and connected to engineering decisions.

The real business cases were the highlight: Caterpillar’s approach to remanufacturing, the textile examples, and the urban mining perspective all showed how circularity can actually work at scale instead of staying as theory. The course also deepened the understanding of the butterfly diagram as a map of how materials circulate in biological and technical cycles, clarifying where strategies like reuse, repair, remanufacturing, and recycling sit in the hierarchy. The favorite part, though, was design for assembly and its close link with design for disassembly within the circular economy. As a mechanical engineer, topics like fastener selection, modular architecture, and ease of access to components resonate strongly, because they directly determine how simple or difficult it will be to repair, upgrade, or remanufacture a product later on.

Beyond the content itself, this course also connects strongly to a broader Personal Learning Environment, where edX plays a central role as a flexible platform to explore new topics and deepen existing interests. Being able to choose MOOCs from different universities, follow them at a personal pace, and combine them with the master’s curriculum turns edX into a kind of experimental lab for continuous learning, reflection, and skill building.

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About MARIA GODOY VIVAR

Hello, my name is Maria Jose, but you can call me Majo. I studied mechanical engineer in Ecuador (back home). I worked in the plastics and metals recycling industry, where I discovered I wanted to continue my studies in materials science, which is why I'm here in this master's program. Outside of my professional life, I love animals, desserts, and hiking.

Academic and Professional Digital Identity Plan

by MARIA GODOY VIVARDI by studentsPosted on One Comment

After some years of working in labs and in such interesting projects in the industry and analyzing materials, I realized my work and the story behind it deserved to be shared beyond research reports. That’s why I’m now focused on improving my digital visibility. I want my online presence to reflect who I truly am : curious, creative, sustainability-driven, and always learning. By building a stronger digital identity, I hope to connect with researchers, industry professionals, and innovators who share the same passion for responsible and impactful materials science.

The Heart of My Digital Identity

At the core of my digital identity is something simple: I’m a mechanical engineer and materials scientist who loves sustainable innovation, eco design, and using analytical tools to turn ideas into real materials that actually matter. I enjoy blending creativity with science to build things that are both functional and responsible.

I’m also working on improving how I share that journey online. Over time, I’ve realized that a digital identity doesn’t need to be perfect or overly polished, it just needs to feel like you <3. You can be curious, honest, and even a little messy while still being completely professional. That balance makes your presence real and relatable.

So if you’re just starting to put their work out into the world, don’t wait for the perfect portfolio or flawless design. Share your projects, your design ideas, your experiments, your wins, and yes even the attempts that didn’t go how you expected. That’s where people connect, because those moments show who you truly are.

This is just the beginning of my digital journey, and I hope it inspires others to start theirs too. Somewhere out there, someone is waiting to learn from your process, your perspective, and the unique way you do.

So, I invite you to follow my link and check my plan. 🙂

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1d9dY4rFN1DLL8ONqXYE2msQiWU7gSmvQ/view?usp=drive_link

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About MARIA GODOY VIVAR

Hello, my name is Maria Jose, but you can call me Majo. I studied mechanical engineer in Ecuador (back home). I worked in the plastics and metals recycling industry, where I discovered I wanted to continue my studies in materials science, which is why I'm here in this master's program. Outside of my professional life, I love animals, desserts, and hiking.

“The Week”

by MARIA GODOY VIVARSin categoríaPosted on 2 Comments

During this week’s experience, I encountered several insightful reflections. In the first video, I sensed that its primary audience was parents, as the protagonists expressed a deep concern for the future they are leaving to their children. Although this does not directly apply to my current situation, I am already aware of the issues discussed—particularly how our consumer-driven lifestyle contributes to many of today’s environmental and social problems. The second video encouraged a more personal reflection on the way we live, and I found myself positioned somewhere in the middle: aware of these challenges, yet still working toward meaningful change. As suggested, adopting new positive habits is something I plan to integrate into my daily life.

In relation to the IDG (Inner Development Goals), reflecting on these areas helped me better understand my own strengths and areas for improvement. In the dimension of Being, I consider self-awareness one of my strongest qualities. I know myself well and continue to learn more about how I think, feel, and respond to different situations. Within Thinking, creativity is a skill I intentionally cultivate—although it does not come naturally, I actively develop it through activities such as painting, completing puzzles, and engaging in other creative practices. In the Relating and Collaborating dimensions, I recognize the need to improve my communication skills, as strengthening this ability will help me work more effectively with others and build stronger, more meaningful connections. Finally, in the Acting dimension, I see opportunities to further develop my proactivity and resilience, enabling me to take initiative and adapt with confidence in challenging or changing environments.

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About MARIA GODOY VIVAR

Hello, my name is Maria Jose, but you can call me Majo. I studied mechanical engineer in Ecuador (back home). I worked in the plastics and metals recycling industry, where I discovered I wanted to continue my studies in materials science, which is why I'm here in this master's program. Outside of my professional life, I love animals, desserts, and hiking.

Curernt and Target PLE

by MARIA GODOY VIVARContributions to PLE by students.Posted on One Comment


Hello everybody, here are my current and target PLE. For my target AI i am currently trying Napkin.ai, so far my favorite, you can create visual helps for your slides, as we know pictures talk more than words. I Hope you enjoy, and comment my post to explain you more about some apps if you haven’t seen them before.

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About MARIA GODOY VIVAR

Hello, my name is Maria Jose, but you can call me Majo. I studied mechanical engineer in Ecuador (back home). I worked in the plastics and metals recycling industry, where I discovered I wanted to continue my studies in materials science, which is why I'm here in this master's program. Outside of my professional life, I love animals, desserts, and hiking.

Video Presentation

by MARIA GODOY VIVARStudents presentationsPosted on One Comment

Hello people, here is my video if you want to know more about me :).
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1cmfApK2TNWnY56jBI8v0Xd_OiAqc0k7U/view?usp=drive_link

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About MARIA GODOY VIVAR

Hello, my name is Maria Jose, but you can call me Majo. I studied mechanical engineer in Ecuador (back home). I worked in the plastics and metals recycling industry, where I discovered I wanted to continue my studies in materials science, which is why I'm here in this master's program. Outside of my professional life, I love animals, desserts, and hiking.

Personal reflection on the professional future

by MARIA GODOY VIVARSin categoríaPosted on No Comments

This video made me deeply reflect on the importance of adaptability. We are living in the age of artificial intelligence, where change happens faster than ever, and the ability to adjust has become essential. As a mechanical engineer, I’ve always been surrounded by machines and technology, but now I see how AI is transforming the way we work, reducing the need for manual labor and challenging us to find new ways to stay relevant. In this context, adaptability is not only about learning new technical skills, but also about staying open-minded and resilient when faced with uncertainty.

Equally important are emotional intelligence and mental balance. I’ve realized that understanding my own emotions and those of others helps me communicate better, handle pressure, and collaborate more effectively. Emotional intelligence allows us to stay grounded and empathetic, even when technology changes everything around us. Mental balance, on the other hand, gives us the stability to keep learning and growing without burning out. It’s what helps us stay focused, positive, and confident despite constant change. Together, these qualities adaptability, emotional intelligence, and mental balance feel like the foundation for not just surviving, but thriving, in the future ahead.

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About MARIA GODOY VIVAR

Hello, my name is Maria Jose, but you can call me Majo. I studied mechanical engineer in Ecuador (back home). I worked in the plastics and metals recycling industry, where I discovered I wanted to continue my studies in materials science, which is why I'm here in this master's program. Outside of my professional life, I love animals, desserts, and hiking.

Student presentation- Maria Jose Godoy

by MARIA GODOY VIVARStudents presentationsPosted on 2 Comments

Hello, my name is Maria Jose, but you can call me Majo. I studied mechanical engineer in Ecuador (back home). I worked in the plastics and metals recycling industry, where I discovered I wanted to continue my studies in materials science, which is why I’m here in this master’s program. Outside of my professional life, I love animals, desserts, and hiking.

Avatar photo

About MARIA GODOY VIVAR

Hello, my name is Maria Jose, but you can call me Majo. I studied mechanical engineer in Ecuador (back home). I worked in the plastics and metals recycling industry, where I discovered I wanted to continue my studies in materials science, which is why I'm here in this master's program. Outside of my professional life, I love animals, desserts, and hiking.