2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

This Work-in-Progress paper will describe the use of multidisciplinary projects to foster student agency, guide curriculum development, and understand student motivation. In a time of uncertainty with many factors changing rapidly, these projects can introduce engineering concepts from different fields to students, allowing them to make informed decisions about the engineering field they may want to choose. This promotes student agency and ownership over their educational journey. Various factors such as career opportunities and personal interest can dictate a student’s choice of major and which path they choose in engineering. Students being able to identify the field in which they wish to specialize at an early stage in their educational journey can provide insights into how educational institutions can support diverse pathways and better align majors with student aspirations. This also allows for guided curriculum development and the creation of flexible pathways that will enhance student learning.

The motivation behind this research stems from our institution’s recent venture into offering engineering as a major. As a small institution, we initially introduced a general engineering degree to gauge interest and build foundational capabilities. However, a recent survey of our student body has revealed a significant insight: students are not particularly enthusiastic about graduating with a degree in general engineering. This feedback is crucial as it highlights a potential gap between our current offerings and the aspirations of our students.
Our goal with this research is multifaceted. Firstly, we aim to leverage the existing skills and talents within our current engineering department. By doing so, we can identify and develop specialized electives and minors that align more closely with the interests and career goals of our students. This approach not only enhances the educational experience but also increases the attractiveness of our engineering program to prospective students.

Furthermore, this research will explore the feasibility of introducing new branches of engineering in the future. By analyzing industry trends, employment opportunities, and academic advancements, we can pinpoint which engineering disciplines are in high demand and have the potential for growth. This strategic expansion will not only cater to the evolving interests of our students but also position our institution as a forward-thinking and dynamic educational establishment.

The current coursework has students engaged in three distinct projects. The first project involves constructing a popsicle bridge that must span a specific length and support the weight of a “car” crossing it. This project introduces students to principles of civil engineering, such as structural integrity and load distribution. The second project requires students to design and build electronic circuits that meet specific requirements, such as creating a burglar alarm or an automobile anti-theft alarm. This task emphasizes electrical engineering concepts, including circuit design and functionality. The final project involves designing the circuit, building the physical components, and coding a robot to seek out darkness. This comprehensive project integrates computer programming, mechanical engineering, and robotics. A quick glance at these topics reveals that they align with civil, electrical, computer programming, and mechanical engineering disciplines. Additionally, each project incorporates elements of industrial engineering, such as critical path, Gantt charts, and responsibility assignment matrix, thus providing a widespread introduction to several branches of engineering at the freshman level.

The research aims to enhance student agency and motivation by integrating multidisciplinary projects that introduce various engineering concepts early in their education. By aligning the curriculum with student interests and industry demands, the institution plans to develop specialized electives and minors, making the engineering program more attractive. This approach will also guide the strategic expansion of new engineering disciplines, ensuring the program remains dynamic and forward-thinking. Ultimately, the goal is to provide a comprehensive and flexible educational pathway that supports diverse student aspirations and fosters their success and satisfaction.
In summary, this research is driven by the need to adapt and evolve our engineering program to better serve our students and meet the demands of the modern engineering landscape. By expanding our offerings and identifying future branches of engineering, we aim to provide a more comprehensive and appealing educational pathway for our students, ultimately fostering their success and satisfaction.