A senior service-learning design project in Ecuador

Abstract

International service-learning projects are an effective educational tool for universities striving to meet the ABET engineering criterion, while also providing transformational experiences to their students and a service to needy populations in the world. This paper discusses the benefits of international service-learning projects for the students and the university. Demand for these projects from students as well as supply of worthy projects in developing countries is also discussed. The ABET engineering criterion are then discussed, with specific attention to the criterion that are harder to address with traditional engineering education. Finally, the year-long process of development and piloting of the first international humanitarian engineering service-learning project within the University of Pittsburgh's Department of Civil Engineering is presented. This pilot project was a collaboration between the Pitt senior design course and a local chapter of Engineers Without Borders. A discussion of related efforts that emerged from this initiative is also presented. © 2011 IEEE.