Savage, Chen and Vanasupa (2007, 18-20) outline how a variety of projects about various aspects of engineering enriches the undergraduate engineering curriculum. They indicate how the design and construction of a solar hot water system and a water purification system meet the needs of local rural residents. This provided a service-learning element to the curriculum and affords students the opportunity how their efforts can positively impact their local community. In addition it gives students the opportunity to develop an appreciation for the role of technology in improving society.
Savage, Chen and Vanasupa (2007, 17) illustrates the goal to develop awareness within students about how technology can have an impact on society, economics and the environment through a dual tetrahedron (a solid figure having four plane faces) model.
Figure: The dual tetrahedron represents the balancing of technical knowledge, economic, environmental and social factors when developing a design solution.
Savage, R.N.; Chen, K.C. and Vanasupa, L. 2007. Integrating Project-based Learning throughout the Undergraduate Engineering Curriculum. The Journal of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Education: Innovations and Research, 8(3), 15-27. Electronically accessible from http://ojs.jstem.org/index.php?journal=JSTEM&page=article&op=view&path%5B%5D=1387
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