2026 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Engineering education increasingly emphasizes experiential and project-based learning approaches that connect theoretical concepts with real-world applications. Simulation-based learning has emerged as a particularly effective strategy for developing systems thinking, analytical reasoning, and proficiency with modern engineering tools. This paper presents an undergraduate independent study project in which a student developed and analyzed a discrete-event simulation model of an on-campus dining operation using AnyLogic software. The project was intentionally designed to serve as a high-impact educational experience while addressing a realistic service system problem familiar to students. The student constructed a baseline simulation model representing existing dining operations, including mobile and kiosk-based ordering, shared queues, and manual order customization. Performance measures such as throughput, average waiting time, and queue length were used to identify a bottleneck caused by synchronous customization at the pickup counter. Guided by simulation output and systems analysis, the student then designed and evaluated a “what-if” experimental scenario featuring proactive mobile order fulfillment and segregated customer flows. Comparative simulation results demonstrated substantial reductions in waiting time and queue length without changes to staffing or capacity. From an educational perspective, the project supported multiple learning outcomes aligned with ABET criteria, including problem formulation, use of modern engineering tools, data-driven decision making, and professional communication. Assessment based on modeling artifacts and faculty feedback indicated significant growth in systems thinking, experimental design skills, and confidence in independent analysis. This work contributes evidence that simulation-based independent studies, when grounded in authentic campus systems, can effectively enhance undergraduate engineering education by integrating technical modeling with experiential learning.