EXPLORIA, STEAM Education at University Level as a New Way to Teach Engineering Mechanics in an Integrated Learning Process

Abstract

The objective of our research is the implementation of STEAM (Science Technology Engineering Art Mathematics) learning in the bachelor of Engineering in industrial design and product development at CEU Cardenal Herrera University through the EXPLORIA project. This article implements and develops the proposal for the first year of this bachelor, which includes 24 students aged 18–20. This article focuses on how to integrate STEAM learning within the EXPLORIA project for the improvement in the learning of the physics subject, and in particular, regarding the part of the syllabus related to mechanical engineering through different projects, challenges and milestones that allow the student to see the use in the design and development of products. The EXPLORIA project connects the competencies of the different STEAM subjects included in the bachelor, designing a learning process as a logical, sequential and incremental itinerary. Through concepts on which the fundamentals of design are based: shape, volume, color, space and structure. In particular, this article shows the adaptation made in the physical part to be able to teach the integrated mechanics part in this learning process. The complete learning was carried out through several challenges and two milestones the students had to overcome through the application of the physical knowledge learned in class. To validate the effectiveness of the proposed methodology, at the end of the paper, an ad hoc questionnaire is carried out showing the students’ assessment regarding the new teaching methodology.

The Equilibrium Challenge, a New Way to Teach Engineering Mechanics in Architecture Degrees

“…In our previous works you can see the results obtained by using this methodology [28,29]. In [28], the effectiveness of integrating various subjects into STEAM learning was demonstrated.…”

“…Another section of the same project proposed enhancing the learning of physics concepts within the subject by utilizing a similar work scheme based on challenges. In [29], this approach was employed to teach physical con-cepts within mechanical engineering by using various practical tasks. This evidenced that the use of physics concepts outside their typical context and their integration with other subjects in the course represents a significant improvement in student learning.…”

“…After the results obtained in the implementation of the new teaching system [28,29], the objective of this article is to demonstrate how, within the framework of the Exploria project in Architecture studies, the content learned in propaedeutic subjects, such as mathematics or physics in degrees that combine the need for technical knowledge with creative skills, can even trigger creative processes and therefore become factors of inspiration and idealization of an architectural project. To do this, the concept of equilibrium challenge proposed in [30] was developed, by adapting it to the subject of physics and to interactions with other subjects.…”

“…The main structure of the Exploria project has been based on the experience carried out in the Degree of Engineering in Industrial Design and Product Development, given the good results obtained, see [28,29], adapting it to the conditions and singularities of the architectural studies. As in the previous project, the design of the structure has been carried out in a collaborative manner between the teachers involved in the first-year subjects and the University management, under a multidisciplinary framework composed not only mainly of architects, but also engineers, mathematicians, physicists and art specialists.…”

STEAM Education and the Innovative Pedagogies in the Intelligence Era

“…Similarly, In the study presented by Montés et al [8], titled "EXPLORIA, STEAM Education at University Level as a New Way to Teach Engineering Mechanics in an Integrated Learning Process", focuses on implementing STEAM learning in the Bachelor of Engineering in Industrial Design and Product Development at CEU Cardenal Herrera University through the EXPLORIA project. The authors describe the integration of STEAM learning within the EXPLORIA project to improve the learning of the physics subject, particularly regarding the part of the syllabus related to mechanical engineering.…”