2026 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Fun With Electronics is a 3-credit hour, project-based undergraduate Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) laboratory course designed to cultivate hands-on skills, creativity, and entrepreneurial thinking through electronics. Students complete seven project sets, each containing multiple circuits that explore switching, sensing, timing, and signal processing. The course culminates in real-world applications such as water-level alarms, Knight Rider-style light LED animations, AC power detectors, music-reactive lighting, and dimmer systems.

Broad learning objectives include:
• Apply core electronics principles to design and build functional circuits.
• Integrate sensors, transistors, and timing components to create responsive systems.
• Use AI tools to assist in ideation, troubleshooting, and reflection.
• Explore real-world applications and iterate designs for performance and value.

Broad learning outcomes include:
• Demonstrate proficiency in circuit construction, testing, and documentation.
• Analyze circuit behavior using measurement tools and simulations.
• Communicate technical insights through structured reports and video presentations.
• Exhibit entrepreneurial mindset through curiosity, creativity, and value creation.

Planned Relation to KEEN 3Cs of EML. The course is deeply aligned with the KEEN Framework:
• Curiosity: Students explore circuit behavior, ask “what if” questions, and use AI tools to investigate alternatives.
• Connections: Projects link electronics to broader systems (e.g., streetlight control, remote sensing, interactive lighting), encouraging interdisciplinary thinking.
• Creating Value: Students design circuits with real-world utility, such as continuity testers, dimmers, and music-reactive LED bars, fostering entrepreneurial insight.

Plan of Submission for Full Paper: The full paper will be submitted to the ASEE Annual Conference under the topic Project-Based Entrepreneurship Learning. It will include:
• Detailed project descriptions
• Pedagogical rationale
• Student feedback and performance data
• Reflections on KEEN-aligned learning strategies

Assessment Methods: Effectiveness is evaluated through:
• Hardware Demonstrations: Students present working circuits for each project.
• Technical Reports: Including circuit diagrams, calculations, and troubleshooting logs.
• AI Reflection Tasks: Students document interactions with AI tools, analyzing their usefulness and limitations.
• Rubric-Based Grading: Each project includes a point-based rubric assessing creativity, functionality, and documentation.
• Video Submissions: Students create YouTube videos showcasing their projects.

Statement of Results. Multiple implementations and feedback indicate:
• High engagement and enthusiasm, especially in creative tasks.
• Improved understanding of electronics through iterative design and testing.
• Positive feedback on the integration of entrepreneurial thinking and real-world relevance.
• Students reported increased confidence in using both hardware and digital tools to solve open-ended problems.

Topic Addressed: Project-Based Entrepreneurship Learning