2026 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Improving Engineering Students’ Sustainable Design Decisions with a Digital-Twin Pedagogical Model: An HBCU Case Study

Presented at Civil Engineering Division (CIVIL) Poster Session

Engineering students are usually required to “consider sustainability,” yet few demonstrate measurable gains in design decision quality. Without clear metric goals, many students who intend to achieve sustainability simply add one or more “green” elements without analyzing the impact of those choices on other components of the design or on the environment. A digital twin is a valuable tool that helps students see the impact of each design option with immediate, scenario-based feedback and identify how it can be adjusted for better outcomes. For this reason, digital twins should be an important tool for learning sustainable design.

This research describes an instructional approach that uses a lightweight model and virtual-reality (VR) explorations of an existing or proposed building to help students see how design decisions affect overall design and environmental performance and then make better design decisions. We outline a teaching module that pairs simple model states (e.g., alternative envelopes, systems, and layouts) with clear sustainability cues visible in VR, while complementary non-visual factors (e.g., policy or cost constraints) are presented alongside for balanced judgment. To understand learning, we propose a practical evaluation plan centered on decision tasks, brief rationales, and transparent, instructor-editable scoring, all aimed at documenting the change observed.

Conducted at an HBCU, an institution that plays a pivotal role in broadening participation in engineering and preparing graduates to design for and lead within historically underrepresented communities, this case study emphasizes improving the quality of engineering students’ sustainable design decisions and helping them incorporate environmental and societal considerations into design. Its contribution is a replicable teaching pattern and adoption materials that enable programs to move beyond “consider sustainability” toward teaching, practicing, and evidencing sustainable design decisions.

Authors

Ayobami Christianah Dunmoye Morgan State University [biography]

Ayobami Dunmoye holds a BSc in Architecture and is currently pursuing a PhD in Civil Engineering, specializing in Construction Management. Her research and academic focus center on Sustainable Infrastructure and Resilient Engineering, with a strong passion for developing smart, sustainable, and resilient built environments. Dedicated to bridging the gap between design, engineering, and construction management, Ayobami aims to contribute to the advancement of innovative practices that support sustainable development and resilient infrastructure.
Adeolu Victor Banjo http://orcid.org/0009-0009-2807-8065 Morgan State University [biography]

Banjo Adeolu Victor is a doctoral student and research assistant in the Department of Civil Engineering at Morgan State University, Baltimore, Maryland. With Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Architecture and years of professional practice in the architecture and construction industry, he combines academic teaching experience with industry expertise. His research explores the integration of Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Building Information Modeling (BIM) to advance sustainable infrastructure engineering. Passionate about innovation and education, he has participated in several conferences and workshops, contributing to immersive learning, sustainable construction, and infrastructure resilience initiatives.
Julius Ogaga Etuke http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2710-2803 Morgan State University [biography]

Julius Ogaga Etuke is a seasoned civil engineer and Ph.D. Candidate in Civil Engineering at Morgan State University, where his research focuses on sustainable and resilient infrastructure engineering. With over 15 years of consulting and project leadership experience, primarily in Nigeria's infrastructure landscape, he brings a robust, practical perspective to academic inquiry. His doctoral research is at the cutting edge of transportation resilience, integrating virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR), climate adaptation modeling, and data-driven solutions to improve disaster preparedness and risk mitigation in complex transportation systems. As a COREN-registered engineer and member of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, his work emphasizes impactful research and consultancy that bridges structural design principles with urgent sustainability and resilience challenges.
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 Research Lab, Department of Civil Engineering at Morgan State University.
Tolulope Abiri Morgan State University [biography]

Tolulope Abiri is a graduate student in Civil Engineering at Morgan State University, where he also serves as a Research Assistant. He holds a bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA). His current research focuses on the sustainability and resilience of transportation infrastructure in the face of sea level rise, with a particular emphasis on coastal vulnerability and adaptive planning for future climate scenarios.
Tolulope is passionate about engineering education and research, with a strong appreciation for field experiences that bridge theory and practical application.
Michael Oluwafemi Ige Morgan State University [biography]

Michael Ige is a Graduate Research Assistant in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Morgan State University, Maryland, where he is pursuing his M.Sc. in Civil and Environmental Engineering with a concentration in Construction Management and Transportation Engineering. He earned his B.Tech. in Building Structure from the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria. Michael has extensive professional experience managing large-scale heavy construction and façade projects, including high-rise and industrial developments across West Africa, having held key roles in the field. His research interests include the integration of digital tools in construction education, resilient building design, and asset management in civil infrastructure. He is passionate about bridging academic knowledge with real-world application and is committed to developing innovative, cost-effective, and sustainable construction solutions.

Note

The full paper will be available to logged in and registered conference attendees once the conference starts on June 21, 2026, and to all visitors after the conference ends on June 24, 2026

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Broadening Participation in Engineering and Engineering Technology
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Broadening Participation in Engineering and Engineering Technology
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Broadening Participation in Engineering and Engineering Technology
engineering
engineering technology
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professional
race/ethnicity
Broadening Participation in Engineering and Engineering Technology
engineering
engineering technology
information technology
professional
race/ethnicity