1. Abstract Abstract for a PowerPoint presentation made by L.E. Carlson and J.F. Sullivan at the 1998 National Collegiate Inventors and Innovators Alliance (NCIIA) National Conference, Washington, DC, March 13-15, 1998. Abstract for a PowerPoint presentation made by L.E. Carlson and J.F. Sullivan at the 1998 National Collegiate Inventors and Innovators Alliance (NCIIA) National Conference, Washington, DC, March 13-15, 1998. The College of Engineering and Applied Science has recently inaugurated the Integrated Teaching and Learning (ITL) Laboratory, a 34,500 sq. ft. interdisciplinary learning environment intended to foster hands-on, team-oriented learning. Its curriculum-driven design accommodates a variety of learning styles and features two first-year design studios, an active-learning arena, a computer simulation laboratory, a computer network integrating all the experimental equipment throughout two large, open laboratory plazas, capstone design studios, group work areas and student shops. A pedagogical cornerstone of the ITL Program is First-Year Engineering Projects, a course specifically designed to allow beginning engineering students to experience the design-build-test cycle that characterizes engineering design. Our experience has shown that students work harder and learn more when the products they produce meet the needs of real-world clients. The intent is for students to learn first-hand that engineering is about building things that benefit society. In addition to the benefits of project-based learning, interaction with external clients forces students to negotiate and articulate customer requirements. A pedagogical cornerstone of the ITL Program is First-Year Engineering Projects, a course specifically designed to allow beginning engineering students to experience the design-build-test cycle that characterizes engineering design. Our experience has shown that students work harder and learn more when the products they produce meet the needs of real-world clients. The intent is for students to learn first-hand that engineering is about building things that benefit society. In addition to the benefits of project-based learning, interaction with external clients forces students to negotiate and articulate customer requirements. This presentation describes the learning goals for this course and provides details of client-based projects in three "community design" theme areas: assistive technology, environmental design, and interactive learning exhibits for public schools and museums. Preliminary assessment results will be presented, including the impact of this course on retention of students studying engineering. Design for the Community: Client-Based Projects for First-Year Engineering Students Client-Based Projects for First-Year Engineering Students

2. Client-Based Projects for First-Year Engineering Students Integrated Teaching and Learning Program College of Engineering & Applied Science University of Colorado at Boulder Design for the Community

3. ITL Credo I hear… I forget I see… I remember I do… I understand — Confucius c. 500 B.C.

4. ITL Vision To pioneer a multidisciplinary learning environment that integrates engineering theory with practice and promotes creative, team-oriented problem-solving skills

5. ITL Concept Diagram

6. Changing Role of Students n Partners in their education n Hands-on experiences build confidence n Passive recipients active learners n Integrators of knowledge & experience

7. The ITL Laboratory... Supporting the Vision “First we shape our buildings, then our buildings shape us.” — Winston Churchill buildings shape us.” — Winston Churchill

8. Give Them Tools......to build what they dream...to build what they dream n An environment and culture for learning n Integrated hardware n Software tools “He worked so slowly for the dullness of his tools that he had not time to sharpen them.” — Cormac McCarthy that he had not time to sharpen them.” — Cormac McCarthy

9. ITL Laboratory: Hands-On, Project-Based Learning n Design studios n Interdisciplinary laboratory plazas n Fabrication facilities Manufacturing CenterManufacturing Center Electronics CenterElectronics Center n Team work areas n Active learning center n Computer simulation laboratory

10. ITL Laboratory: Hands-On, Project-Based Learning n Design studios n Interdisciplinary laboratory plazas n Fabrication facilities Manufacturing CenterManufacturing Center Electronics CenterElectronics Center n Team work areas n Active learning center n Computer simulation laboratory

11. ITL Laboratory: Hands-On, Project-Based Learning n Design studios n Interdisciplinary laboratory plazas n Fabrication facilities Manufacturing CenterManufacturing Center Electronics CenterElectronics Center n Team work areas n Active learning center n Computer simulation laboratory

12. ITL Laboratory: Hands-On, Project-Based Learning n Design studios n Interdisciplinary laboratory plazas n Fabrication facilities Manufacturing CenterManufacturing Center Electronics CenterElectronics Center n Team work areas n Active learning center n Computer simulation laboratory

13. ITL Laboratory: Hands-On, Project-Based Learning n Design studios n Interdisciplinary laboratory plazas n Fabrication facilities Manufacturing CenterManufacturing Center Electronics CenterElectronics Center n Team work areas n Active learning center n Computer simulation laboratory

14. ITL Laboratory: Hands-On, Project-Based Learning n Design studios n Interdisciplinary laboratory plazas n Fabrication facilities Manufacturing CenterManufacturing Center Electronics CenterElectronics Center n Team work areas n Active learning center n Computer simulation laboratory

15. First-Year Engineering Projects A hands-on, team-oriented introduction to engineering via interdisciplinary design-build projects

16. First-Year Course Objectives n Introduction to engineering as a career n Open-ended, hands-on design experiences n Interdisciplinary teamwork n Communication skills (oral, written, team, client) n Journaling experience n Introduction to engineering methodology n Mentoring by upperclass TAs

17. Design for the Community “Engineering is about building things that benefit society” n Products that serve real-world clients n Students... Work harderWork harder Learn valuable customer skillsLearn valuable customer skills Experience tremendous satisfactionExperience tremendous satisfaction

18. Community Design Themes n “Green” design Emphasis on the environment n Assistive technology Using technology to help those with disabilities n Interactive learning exhibits K-12 schoolsK-12 schools Youth museumsYouth museums

19. Community Design Themes n “Green” design Emphasis on the environment n Assistive technology Using technology to help those with disabilities n Interactive learning exhibits K-12 schoolsK-12 schools Youth museumsYouth museums

20. Community Design Themes n “Green” design Emphasis on the environment n Assistive technology Using technology to help those with disabilities n Interactive learning exhibits K-12 schoolsK-12 schools Youth museumsYouth museums

21. Continuous Improvement Model n Entry/exit surveys n Group consensus interviews “Provides sense of engineering” - 100% agreed“Provides sense of engineering” - 100% agreed “Would recommend this course” - 91% agreed“Would recommend this course” - 91% agreed “Iterative learning process was beneficial” - 100%“Iterative learning process was beneficial” - 100% n Student evaluation Course average B+Course average B+ Instructor average A-Instructor average A- n End-of-term post-mortem

22. Retention n 78% of students who took the course were still studying engineering in their third year vs. n 55% College average

23. Design for the Community Breaks down barriers and impacts: n College students who are aspiring engineers n Individuals in the community with needs n Society at large

24. Integrated Teaching and Learning Integrated Teaching and Learning College of Engineering & Applied Science University of Colorado at Boulder n Jackie Sullivan, Co-Director n Larry Carlson, Co-Director web site: http://itll.colorado.edu Thank you.