2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

This Work in Progress study explores the impact of weekly journaling assignments on engineering students’ ability to communicate mathematical concepts effectively in design projects. At _ University, first-year engineering students participate in the "Living with the Lab" course sequence, culminating in the First-Year Projects Showcase. While students excel at explaining their product’s purpose and hardware, they often struggle to articulate the underlying STEM principles, especially in mathematics.

To address this gap, a targeted journaling assignment was integrated into the calculus sequence to enhance reflection on mathematical concepts and their connection to engineering applications. Using surveys, written reflections, and project presentations, this mixed-methods study evaluates the effectiveness of journaling in improving communication skills and confidence. Initial findings from the fall quarter suggest promising improvements in students' mathematical communication skills, with ongoing data collection in winter and spring quarters.

Aligned with Kern Entrepreneurial Engineering Network (KEEN) principles of Curiosity, Connections, and Collaboration, this intervention encourages students to integrate math into their hands-on work and articulate these connections. Findings aim to offer strategies to develop mathematical communication skills, supporting deeper learning and better preparation for future challenges in engineering.