In this paper, we have combined a pragmatic and a sociocultural perspective on how artifacts are used in technical problem-solving. With these perspectives we explore how three mechanical engineering students build a plastic spider together, using instructions they found on the internet. Ten hours of video recordings were selected for a detailed…

A common distinction in engineering problems is classifying them as well-structured or ill-structured. It is assumed that classroom problems are well-structured while workplace problems are ill-structured. However, we cannot find empirical data to confirm or deny the claim that the bulk of classroom problems are well-structured. This research…

Making engineering courses more diverse and inclusive has received increased support recently. The Include program aims to transform the academic environment in engineering to empower students who identify as neurodiverse; and, as part of the program, the statics course, a required course for all civil engineering majors, was redesigned based on…

Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) controllers are essential in ensuring the stability and efficiency of numerous scientific, industrial, and medical processes. However, teaching the principles of PID control can be challenging, especially when the introduction focuses on the underlying mathematical framework. To address this, we developed the…

Simplifying equations via assumptions is integral to the "engineering method." Algebraic scaling helps in teaching the engineering skill of making good assumptions. Algebraic scaling is more than a pedagogical tool. It can create a solution where one was not possible before scaling. Scaling helps in engineering proper design…

Undergraduate engineering students are commonly introduced to design in their first year and tackle a more authentic design challenge during senior year, with intervening courses focused on technical problem solving. Along this trajectory, students should acquire skills related to the development of engineering requirements, which are important to…

In 2013, the Next Generation Science Standards tasked science teachers to include more engineering processes in their instruction. Design thinking is one way this has been accomplished over the last decade, but other engineering characteristics might have an influence on how learners thinking through the design process. Using a pretest-posttest,…

Engineering design that requires mathematical analysis, scientific understanding, and technology is critical for preparing students for solving engineering problems. In simulated design environments, students are expected to learn about science and engineering through their design. However, there is a lack of understanding concerning linking…

The advancement of large language model-based generative artificial intelligence (LLM-based GenAI) has sparked significant interest in its potential to address challenges in computational thinking (CT) education. CT, a critical problem-solving approach in the digital age, encompasses elements such as abstraction, iteration, and generalisation.…

Contributions: This article presents the results from a teaching innovation project based on the creation of educational videos by students and their assessment through blind peer review in the context of an electric circuit course. This article also analyses the activity's impact on learning outcomes by comparing the results of participating…

Interdisciplinary engineering education (IEE) is gaining traction as engineering practices increasingly acknowledge the need to transcend traditional boundaries given the complexities of globalised systems. IEE, however, faces challenges that underscore uncertainties and different perceptions about what interdisciplinarity means for engineering…

Mathematical modelling is an interlinking process between mathematics and real-world problems that can be applied as a means to increase motivation, develop cognitive competencies, and enhance the ability to transfer mathematical knowledge to other areas of science, such as engineering disciplines. This study was designed to investigate the effect…

This study describes the process of developing a high-impact, low-cost, and low-maintenance air ventilation system for anatomy facilities. It employed the strategic application of Value Engineering (VE), assuring that the air ventilation system meets contemporary threshold limit values (TLVs) for formaldehyde in the working zone of dissection…

Contemporary literature in engineering education calls for focused efforts towards revitalizing the curriculum, pedagogic practice, and assessments. Creating multidisciplinary, experiential learning opportunities through a biomimicry module offers authentic and situated experiences for designing sustainable solutions inspired by and in harmony…

Laboratory learning has been the focus of significant creativity for educators. Engaging students in "real world" contexts or using their knowledge in laboratory exercises in a meaningful way requires that students are engaged in the practice of science. The role of decision-making around this practice of science, say for the analysis of…