2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

In the ever-evolving landscape of construction safety, integrating advanced technologies is crucial for effectively preparing future engineers. This paper explores the incorporation of cutting-edge technologies in construction safety education, highlighting a team project that investigated various forms of smart personal protective equipment (PPE). More specifically, the team project aimed to integrate smart sensing technologies with PPE such as smart helmets, smart vests, and smartwatches to provide critical physiological and environmental information that can significantly improve situational awareness while allowing workers to receive updates without diverting their attention from their tasks. Engaging in this hands-on project enabled students to apply theoretical knowledge to practical scenarios, enhancing their comprehension of the materials and concepts present in lectures. Throughout this hands-on team project, students gained a more comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted construction safety and health issues and how innovative wearable technologies leveraging sensing techniques are utilized on worksites nowadays. The team-based approach not only developed their technical skills but also significantly improved their communication and collaboration abilities. Students learned to articulate their ideas clearly, listen actively, and resolve conflicts constructively, creating a collaborative environment that nurtured mutual respect and understanding. Feedback from students regarding this pedagogical exploration was overwhelmingly positive. They expressed appreciation for the opportunity to test cutting-edge technologies in a practical setting, and highlighted how the project deepened their understanding of construction safety issues. They valued active learning, which made the theoretical aspects of their studies more relevant and applicable. This educational experience highlights the importance of a pedagogical framework that combines active learning strategies with advanced technology integration, as we strive to prepare students to become proactive leaders competent to tackle the complex safety challenges that they will encounter in the workplace after school.