2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Gaming Interests and Engineering Educational Innovation: Leveraging Student Enthusiasm for Popular Games to Inform Curriculum Development at HBCUs

In the pursuit of enhancing student engagement and retention, educational institutions are increasingly recognizing the potential benefits of incorporating effective gamification strategies within curricula, particularly for engineering scholars at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). This study endeavors to ascertain the popular games that resonate with the student body while investigating how this enthusiasm may contribute to the formulation of gamified learning experiences. Central research inquiries include: In what manner does the implementation of gamification within engineering education influence student retention and academic achievement, especially among historically underrepresented demographics at HBCUs? Which specific game mechanics prevalent in popular video games are most efficacious in bolstering student engagement in engineering education? To what degree do students' gaming experiences correspond with their problem-solving and critical-thinking competencies within an educational framework? How might these findings inform the development of educational tools that are congruent with students' interests?
To systematically address these inquiries, a quantitative methodological approach will be adopted, employing the Game Engagement Questionnaire (GEQ), a rigorously validated survey instrument designed to assess students' gaming preferences, play frequency, and perceived educational benefits of games. The survey will be administered to engineering students enrolled in a HBCU. The theoretical framework which forms the basis of this investigation is rooted in Constructivist Learning Theory, which underscores the significance of engaging students in substantive learning experiences that resonate with their interests and prior knowledge.
The anticipated outcome of this investigation is to elucidate a definitive correlation between students’ affinity for particular games and the feasibility of devising effective educational interventions that improve learning outcomes. By identifying the game mechanics and thematic elements that students find compelling, this research aspires to offer practical recommendations for the integration of gamified components into engineering curricula, thereby cultivating a more engaging and efficacious educational milieu. This initiative is expected to stimulate innovation and subsequently enhance productivity.

Authors

Mr. Raymond Deji Olamijulo Morgan State University [biography]

Mr Raymond Olamijulo is a graduate assistant in the Computer Science department at Morgan State University. With a research focus on experiment-centric pedagogy in engineering education, Mr. Olamijulo has contributed to advancing both theoretical and practical aspects of engineering education and technology integration in the curriculum.

Mr Olamijulo holds a B.Sc. in Information and Communication Technology from Crawford University. He also holds a Masters degree in International MBA from Ulyanovsk State University. He has been a part of multiple international conferences promoting technological advancements.

In addition to his academic work, Mr Olamijulo is committed to enhancing the educational experience of undergraduate and graduate students through innovative teaching strategies and hands-on projects. He is actively involved in advising student projects, mentoring research groups, promoting hands-on learning experiences and is dedicated to fostering diversity and inclusion in the engineering field.
Mr. Kingsley Matthew Morgan State University [biography]

Mr. Kingsley Matthew is a software engineer with over eight years of experience in full-stack development, database administration, and system architecture. He has contributed to several live projects across e-commerce, digital platforms, and enterprise systems. Kingsley began his career as an intern at NIIT and has held engineering roles at Infosys Digital Solutions and Bestrigo Digital and AI Agency. He is currently pursuing an advanced degree in Computer Science, with academic interests in software engineering, machine learning, and data science. Kingsley is an active member of the Nigerian Computer Society (NCS) and the Institute of Management Information Systems (IMIS), and is committed to using technology to create impactful, scalable solutions.
Mr. Oluwafemi Samuel Ifesanmi Morgan State University [biography]

Oluwafemi Samuel Ifesanmi is a passionate graduate researcher, and social impact advocate. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science and Resource Management and is currently pursuing his M.Sc. in Advanced Computing at Morgan State University. His background covers software development, data analytics, AI applications, environmental sustainability and intelligent computing, and this fusion is at the heart of his current research: Smart AI-Based Waste Bin Monitoring and Collection Optimization. The project leverages AI and IoT to create efficient, sustainable urban waste management systems.
Abiola Olayinka Ajala http://orcid.org/0009-0001-8848-1843 Morgan State University [biography]

Abiola Olayinka Ajala is an AI researcher for the National Airspace System (NAS) at Morgan State University, pursuing a Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Systems Engineering with a focus on Data Science, Machine Learning, and AI. Currently working on a research on climate resilience and aviation security using AI-driven solutions. With a Master’s in Advanced Computing and a Bachelor’s in Computer Science, Abiola has expertise in data science, cybersecurity, networking, business analysis, and system administration. A member of ASEE,IEEE who is passionate about STEM education to introduce K1-12 students to computing/ engineering skills and digital literacy.
Mr. Pelumi Olaitan Abiodun http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4969-9591 Morgan State University [biography]

Pelumi Abiodun is a current doctoral student and research assistant at the department of Civil Engineering, Morgan State University, Baltimore, Maryland. Pelumi got his BSc and MSc degree in Physics from Obafemi Awolowo University, where he also served as a research assistant at the Environmental Pollution Research unit, in Ile-Ife, Nigeria. As part of his contribution to science and engineering, Pelumi has taught as a teaching assistant both at Morgan State University and Obafemi Awolowo University. With passion to communicate research findings and gleaned from experts in the field as he advances his career, Olaitan has attended several in-persons and virtual conferences and workshop, and at some of them, made presentation on findings on air pollution, waste water reuse, and heavy metal contamination.
Dr. Oludare Adegbola Owolabi P.E. Morgan State University [biography]

Dr. Oludare Owolabi, a professional engineer in Maryland, joined the Morgan State University faculty
in 2010. He is the director of the sustainable infrastructure development, smart innovation and resilient
engineering lab and the director of undergraduate programs in the department of civil engineering at Morgan
State University.

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