A report on service-learning and engineering design: Service-learning's effect on students learning engineering design in 'Introduction to MechanicalEngineering'

Service-learning is a form of experiential education in which students appl y the knowledge and skills they learn in the classroom to carry out project s that meet a human or community need Service-learning has been integrated into an 'Introduction to Mechanical Engineering' course to enhance learning of first-year engineering students and to meet the need for more resources in local middle-schools to promote active, hands-on learning of mathematic s and science. Student assessment results over a three-year period demonstr ate that service-learning is an effective strategy for first-year mechanica l engineering students to learn and practice engineering design and teamwor k, and to become aware of civic responsibility. Service-learning provides e ngineering students the opportunity and motivation to develop the 'softer' skills described in Engineering Criteria 2000 and complements the tradition al approach to design projects, in which students interact primarily with t echnical personnel.