Using Environmental Consulting as a Team Design Project: Role Play to Reality

Abstract

Environmental Chemistry is a core course for all second year Chemical Engineering students with a class size of ~120 students. The course includes a "Consulting Engineering" integrative project which involves elements of role-play based on topics drawn from current, real-life issues. Students create their own five-member 'company' that responds through a letter of intent to one of three requests for proposal from 'Wallberg Multicorp', a fictitious company based on the home building for Chemical Engineering. Over the term, students submit an interim proposal, meet with the client, and submit a final proposal. Feedback is provided at various stages. The top three groups present their proposals to the class and a panel of professional environmental consultants. This project allows iterative learning of technical, communication and team skills, with multiple opportunities for feedback and guidance. Student growth, learning and experience are evaluated through the deliverables, reflections and the course evaluations.