2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

WIP: Utilizing short-format videos to enhance science communication in AECO Students

Effective communication is a skill developed early in life, yet conveying complex ideas, especially technical concepts, remains a challenge, particularly for engineers. Research consistently shows that engineers struggle to communicate technical information, especially to non-expert audiences. This project aims to address this challenge by helping engineering students learn to express complex ideas clearly and concisely to a general audience. To achieve this, researchers integrated a communication project into three civil engineering courses (Structures, Cost Engineering, and Construction Management), involving a total of 55 students. As part of their course credit, students were tasked with creating a one-minute reel-style video to explain an assigned class topic. These videos, designed for a public audience on social media, were expected to be engaging, entertaining, and informative. Extra credit was offered if a student's video went viral, further incentivizing creativity and clarity in communication. At the end of the semester, researchers conducted surveys to gauge students' perceptions and experiences with the assignment. Results revealed that students found it challenging to communicate technical ideas effectively in short, entertaining videos. However, the exercise helped them discover new strategies for simplifying and conveying complex information. The authors analyze factors contributing to these outcomes and propose future directions for integrating science communication into engineering curricula. The findings offer valuable insights for both research and practice, highlighting the importance of developing communication skills alongside technical expertise in engineering education.

Authors

David Francisco Coronado [biography]

David Francisco Coronado Soria is a civil engineering graduaded at Universidad San Francisco de Quito with experience in research, teaching, and construction. His work focuses on sustainable design, structural analysis, and community development. He has collaborated on scientific publications, worked as a teaching assistant, and led engineering projects with social impact through Engineers Without Borders. He is now a candidate for a Master in Structural Engineering at the University of Porto to deepen his expertise in innovative and resilient structures.
Blanca Esthela Moscoso http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5433-3279
Dr. MiguelAndres Andres Guerra P.E. http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7496-3753 Universidad San Francisco de Quito USFQ [biography]

MiguelAndres is an Associate Professor in the Polytechnic College of Science and Engineering and the Director of the Masters in Management of Construction and Real Estate Companies MDI at Universidad San Francisco de Quito USFQ. He holds a BS in Civil Engineering from USFQ, a M.Sc. in Civil Engineering in Construction Engineering and Project Management from Iowa State University, a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering with emphasis in Sustainable Construction from Virginia Tech, and two Graduate Certificates from Virginia Tech in Engineering Education and Future Professoriate and from USFQ in Structures for Construction Professionals. MiguelAndres’s research includes Architectural and Civil Engineering Project Management, Sustainable and Resilient Urban Infrastructure, and the development of engineers who not only have strong technical and practical knowledge but the social awareness and agency to address global humanitarian, environmental, and social justice challenges. For him, social justice is a concept that should always be involved in discussions on infrastructure. Related to STEM education, Miguel Andres develops disruptive pedagogies for STEM courses as a tool for innovation, and assessing engineering students’ agency to address climate change. Currently, MiguelAndres is working on a framework to support and conduct undergraduate research.

Note

The full paper will be available to logged in and registered conference attendees once the conference starts on June 22, 2025, and to all visitors after the conference ends on June 25, 2025