2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Bridging Information Literacy and Data Science: A Collaborative Approach to Project-Based Learning

Presented at Engineering Libraries Division (ELD) Technical Session 1

This work-in-progress paper explores a collaboration between an engineering librarian and a data scientist to integrate information literacy (IL) concepts into a semester-long data science project. Using a library setting, the goal is to bridge the gap between technical skills and the ability to critically evaluate, manage, and ethically use information in data-driven research. Throughout the semester, the librarian works closely with students and the data science instructor to introduce IL skills such as data sourcing, citation management, intellectual property awareness, and critical evaluation of sources. By embedding these competencies into project-based learning, the initiative seeks to foster students' understanding of the ethical and effective use of data in both academic and industry settings. This interdisciplinary approach demonstrates how information literacy can enhance data science education by promoting critical thinking and responsible data practices. The paper will incorporate initial results from pre- and post-project surveys of the students along with the structure for scaffolding the IL skills within the data science project.

Authors

Abimelec Mercado Rivera http://orcid.org/https:// 0000-0002-8899-7671 Arizona State University, Polytechnic Campus [biography]

Abimelec Mercado Rivera is a Puerto Rican doctoral student and graduate research assistant in the Engineering Education Systems and Design program at Arizona State University. Abimelec received his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez (UPRM) in 2016. After working in the aerospace industry, he returned to the UPRM for his MS in Mechanical Engineering in 2017, where he pursued ways to tailor ideation methods to interdisciplinary teams as part of his thesis work, and had the opportunity to teach undergraduate ME courses. His previous efforts and experiences in engineering education helped shape his overall goal of fostering human-centered education systems, which led him to pursue his PhD at ASU.
Mr. Eric Prosser http://orcid.org/https://0000-0002-9214-6298 Arizona State University [biography]

Eric Prosser is the head of the STEM Division and the Engineering & Entrepreneurship Librarian for the Arizona State University Library. Eric is a liaison to the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering and provides research services for faculty, graduate students, and undergraduate students along with instruction in critical analysis and information literacy, including the legal and ethical use of information. Prior to finding his home in academic librarianship, he worked as a reliability engineer in the nuclear power industry and later as an attorney. Eric has a BS in Physics from Harvey Mudd College, an MA in Information Resources and Library Science from the University of Arizona, an MS in Management of Technology from Arizona State University, a JD from the University of San Diego, and he is currently enrolled in ASU's PhD program for Engineering Education Systems and Design. Outside of the library, he enjoys travel, skiing, and trivia contests.

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

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