Real World Problem Solving: A Lesson from Engineering

Engineering is a 3-credit honors course in which students learn the engineering process by tackling real engineering design problems in teams and presenting their solutions to expert engineers and clients.

The goals of this project were to introduce students to the engineering design process and tools for modeling and prototyping while also emphasizing the importance of human-centered design. Right away I want them to see that engineering is about more than “making things.” Good engineering design requires a deep understanding of the people you are designing for and recognizing their wants, needs, and frustrations.

Interested in reading what two students had to say about the project?

Photos of student prototypes and conceptual designs

Students spent four weeks on this project – doing research, conducting interviews, designing, and prototyping. At the end of the project, they presented both their conceptual designs and initial prototypes to the Assistive Technology Specialist from UCP for feedback. The project ultimately was about more than just engineering. Working on a real problem in teams exposed them to a community of people most of them knew little about, helped them build empathy and communication skills, and gave an important sense of purpose to the engineering design aspect of the project.