Applying Entrepreneurially Minded Learning to the Design and Fabrication of Soft Robotic Fish with Native American Engineering Students

Abstract

Engineering students have limited opportunities for experiential learning, especially at Tribal Colleges and Universities, where engineering programs tend to be small, and resources are extremely limited. Typically, the first and senior years of a student's engineering education journey are infused with hands-on projects and capstone courses. However, the sophomore and junior years generally need more opportunities for active learning, gaining professional skills, and developing a sense of professional practice. Also, scholars have increasingly realized that arts subjects help students understand connections between different disciplines from a comprehensive perspective. This study highlights findings from integrating entrepreneurially minded experiential STEAM learning into a second-year engineering course - Design & Manufacturing Processes I. A total of six students enrolled in the course. The project required students to develop engineering activities to highlight water pollution via the design, fabrication, and programming of soft robotic fish. During one semester, students formed teams to work on project tasks, including sketching out a fish, designing a mold (fish) in Solidworks, 3D-Printing the mold, fabricating the fish (pouring silicone into the mold), testing the fabricated fish, programming the fish for blinking light and vibrations. A metacognitive photovoice reflection was used to assess the project's impacts. The preliminary thematic analysis highlights three major themes of ABET learning outcomes as follows: (1) the ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics (2) the ability to function effectively on a team (3) the ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies. The paper includes details related to the intervention and lessons learned so other engineering instructors, especially in Native American serving schools, can easily re-create in the classroom.