2023 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Service learning is an educational approach that connects academic curriculum to community problem-solving. Research findings demonstrate that service learning is well-suited for educating Civil Engineering students because of the applied and service-oriented nature of the discipline. As an essential part of Civil Engineering undergraduate education, senior capstone design projects is an effective implementation of service learning. Community-based projects provide an excellent opportunity for students to realize the importance of life-long learning, integration of technical knowledge, and the relevance of civil engineering as a service profession. This paper discusses pedagogical aspects of Service Learning and presents two senior capstone projects in detail: designing and building a zipline tower and two timber bridges for a local community. This paper outlines the entire design and build process from conception to completion, with emphasis on problem definition, development of design ideas, communications and interactions with stakeholders, detailed designed improvement, and construction issues. Based on the learning outcome assessments and feedback from the local community, two service learning projects successfully provide vehicles to enable students to develop their technical skills and enhance their social self-efficacy and employability.