2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Engineering pedagogy faces challenges in balancing lectures with practical labs and integrating varied lab experiences across curricula, which are crucial for learning. Traditional labs often focus more on procedures than learning applications, failing to effectively support broader curriculum themes. This disconnection hinders the development of engineers and scientists capable of translating their education into professional expertise. Moreover, conventional lecture-based courses without practical application tend to foster a sense of belonging and motivation only among a select group of students rather than all.

In response, a mechanical engineering department at a U.S. Northeastern R1 institution implemented crosscutting Learning Studios in Fall 2022. These studios integrated multiple classes around real-world engineering systems to promote continuous engagement and experiential learning. Semi-structured interviews with eight students stratified by academic year, frequency of studio participation, and demographics. Using an inductive coding approach, we identified three key themes: enhanced learning, increased confidence and resilience, and refined career goals.

Students reported that the Learning Studios deepened their understanding of mechanical engineering principles and exposed them to practical engineering applications, boosting their confidence and intrinsic enjoyment of the learning process. This experience not only increased their competence but also encouraged a positive learning mindset. Furthermore, the studios provided opportunities for students to explore and clarify their career aspirations. These findings underscore the importance of integrating hands-on, collaborative learning environments in engineering education to advance professional skills and personal growth, and provide a successful example of how these labs can be integrated into mechanical engineering.