2023 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Enhancing Undergraduate Materials Science Labs for Experiential Learning

Laboratories in undergraduate mechanical engineering courses are designed to provide experiential learning opportunities, ground theoretical knowledge from lectures in practical experiments, and to develop familiarity with the testing techniques utilized in industry. However, many engineering students at the University of Calgary feel that these laboratories are disconnected with their in-class learning and have no application outside of the course environment. As well, there is pressure from industry, the provincial government, and the University of Calgary to include industry-relevant learning opportunities in undergraduate curriculums to improve the transition of students from university to the workforce.

The goal of this research endeavour is to determine how educational scholarship can be applied to undergraduate engineering laboratories to enhance learning outcomes. Findings will be used to develop a methodological framework for applying educational scholarship to engineering laboratories in higher education.

A literature review was conducted to develop an understanding of the current best practices and knowledge in engineering education, as well as clarify expectations from the University of Calgary and the Government of Alberta. Critically reflective surveys were developed using Ash and Clayton’s DEAL model and Bloom’s taxonomy and released to current engineering students in a third-year materials science course at the University of Calgary’s Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering program. The purpose of these surveys is to evaluate where students feel their laboratories do not connect to their classes or careers, and what steps can be taken to improve learning outcomes. Engineering graduates and managers were also surveyed on how well-prepared graduates are for the engineering industry working environment.

Following completion, these survey responses will be evaluated using qualitative content analysis. Responses will first be read through multiple times to identify major response themes, which will be used to develop a semi-structured coding matrix. Responses will be broken down into units of information and coded according to the developed matrix. The frequency of each theme will be used to support research conclusions.

Preliminary results indicate that students find value in how their laboratories support and reinforce in-class learning but want stronger links to industrial practices. Students also experience a discontinuity between their present and previous laboratories, indicating a need for a broader laboratory framework that reinforces skills across different courses.