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Merging Engineering Education with Service-Learning: How Community Based Projects Encourage Socially Conscious Engineers

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Title: Merging Engineering Education with Service-Learning: How Community Based Projects Encourage Socially Conscious Engineers
Language: English
Authors: Brown, Aaron, Bauer, Michael
Source: Athens Journal of Education. Feb 2021 8(1):9-21.
Availability: Athens Institute for Education & Research. 8 Valaoritou Street, Kolonaki, Athens 10671, Greece. e-mail: education@atiner.gr; Web site: https://www.athensjournals.gr/aje
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 13
Publication Date: 2021
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Tests/Questionnaires
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Engineering Education, Service Learning, Community Development, Sustainable Development, Consciousness Raising, Problem Solving, Creative Thinking, Design, Appropriate Technology, Heat, Disadvantaged Environment, Poverty Areas, Social Values, Graduate Students, School Holding Power, Career Choice, State Universities, Foreign Countries
Geographic Terms: Colorado (Denver), Costa Rica
ISSN: 2407-9898
Abstract: Engineers provide essential services to society, solving pressing challenges through technological inventiveness. Students new to engineering often cite the lure of creative problem solving as attracting them to the discipline. However, traditional engineering curricula typically focus on a narrow application of fundamentals for solving closed-ended problems. Too often, engineering programs do not encourage inventive expression in problem solving. Not surprisingly, the attrition rate for engineering programs is unusually high. Recently, engineering education has shifted its focus to new, more engaging practices that incorporate hands-on methods, boosting prospects for students to engage in creative problem solving. Because service learning provides opportunities for applied work, incorporating it into engineering education programs in can engage students positively and lower attrition rates. Moreover, since engineers are fundamentally involved with social improvement, then engaging students in activities that expand their understanding of the potential impact their skills may impart to a community is not only prudent but best practices. This paper explores two case studies of community-based service learning engineering projects, highlighting community partnerships, analyses and decision-making that helped drive designs and outcomes. It explores how both the communities and students benefitted, focusing notably on the influence these activities had on student understanding of their work, academic and/or professional direction and social consciousness. These are analyzed via longitudinal reporting of students incorporating lessons learned several years post-project. The service learning projects took place in marginalized communities in Denver and Costa Rica. In the Denver project, engineering students designed, built and installed low cost solar heaters into an area with poor housing stock. In Costa Rica, students built a solar water heater for a local school.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2021
Accession Number: EJ1287597
Database: ERIC
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  Data: Merging Engineering Education with Service-Learning: How Community Based Projects Encourage Socially Conscious Engineers
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  Data: Athens Institute for Education & Research. 8 Valaoritou Street, Kolonaki, Athens 10671, Greece. e-mail: education@atiner.gr; Web site: https://www.athensjournals.gr/aje
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  Data: Engineers provide essential services to society, solving pressing challenges through technological inventiveness. Students new to engineering often cite the lure of creative problem solving as attracting them to the discipline. However, traditional engineering curricula typically focus on a narrow application of fundamentals for solving closed-ended problems. Too often, engineering programs do not encourage inventive expression in problem solving. Not surprisingly, the attrition rate for engineering programs is unusually high. Recently, engineering education has shifted its focus to new, more engaging practices that incorporate hands-on methods, boosting prospects for students to engage in creative problem solving. Because service learning provides opportunities for applied work, incorporating it into engineering education programs in can engage students positively and lower attrition rates. Moreover, since engineers are fundamentally involved with social improvement, then engaging students in activities that expand their understanding of the potential impact their skills may impart to a community is not only prudent but best practices. This paper explores two case studies of community-based service learning engineering projects, highlighting community partnerships, analyses and decision-making that helped drive designs and outcomes. It explores how both the communities and students benefitted, focusing notably on the influence these activities had on student understanding of their work, academic and/or professional direction and social consciousness. These are analyzed via longitudinal reporting of students incorporating lessons learned several years post-project. The service learning projects took place in marginalized communities in Denver and Costa Rica. In the Denver project, engineering students designed, built and installed low cost solar heaters into an area with poor housing stock. In Costa Rica, students built a solar water heater for a local school.
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RecordInfo BibRecord:
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    Languages:
      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
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        PageCount: 13
        StartPage: 9
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Engineering Education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Service Learning
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Community Development
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Sustainable Development
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Consciousness Raising
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      – SubjectFull: Problem Solving
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      – SubjectFull: Creative Thinking
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      – SubjectFull: Design
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Appropriate Technology
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Heat
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Disadvantaged Environment
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Poverty Areas
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Social Values
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      – SubjectFull: Graduate Students
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      – SubjectFull: School Holding Power
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      – SubjectFull: Career Choice
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      – SubjectFull: State Universities
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Foreign Countries
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      – SubjectFull: Colorado (Denver)
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      – SubjectFull: Costa Rica
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Merging Engineering Education with Service-Learning: How Community Based Projects Encourage Socially Conscious Engineers
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