A Service Learning project for a freshman Engineering course

Abstract

Service learning has been repeatedly shown to be a highly effective teaching tactic in higher education. Nevertheless, Engineering classes have been slower than other disciplines to adopt it successfully. This paper presents in detail an account of the development and results of the inclusion of Service Learning as a component of a freshman level Introduction to Engineering course. A significant part of the required work for this course is comprised of team projects. One of the projects was selected to be a service learning activity, and the community partner was chosen to be the local "Children's Museum". A charge was given to the class by the museum's Education Coordinator to develop thematic toys and games to help teach visiting children various physics concepts. The concepts were presented in a list along with additional technical specifications and safety requirements. Each engineering team was tasked to choose a particular concept and develop a toy or a game according to the specifications and requirements provided. The teams were required to follow and document the entire design process, culminating with team presentations of their products to the "customer" and a formal product test with real children was conducted at the museum. The project was concluded with a team report and class discussion that provided a forum to exchange ideas and lessons learned during the project. The planning, implementation, and the results of five semesters of this service learning project are reviewed and analyzed in view of ABET accreditation criteria. Conclusions and suggestions are presented to help more schools start using a service learning component in their Introduction to Engineering courses. © 2011 American Society for Engineering Education.