Using the Honours Project Course to Enhance Engagement Across All Stakeholders

Abstract

Prior to 2009 students in the School of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Adelaide developed their management and professional practice skills in an unpopular stand-alone course “Engineering Management and Professional Practice (EMPP)”. The intended learning outcomes of this course were, however, synergistic with those of the final year “Honours Project” and so the two courses were strategically combined. This amalgamation (which is still referred to as the “Honours Project”) has developed into a successful scaffolded, authentic, engineering problem based learning course that: motivates and engages over 200 participating students; effectively outreaches to both primary and secondary schools; attracts vibrant and enthusiastic industry interaction; draws significant news and media coverage as the University showcases and creates a nexus between the research and the professional communities. It represents the coordinated sustained efforts by a team of over 50 academic and professional staff within the School of Mechanical Engineering, the Faculty of Engineering Computer and Mathematical Sciences and the University administrative services; which include the Media and Strategic Communications office, and the offices of the Vice Chancellor (VC) and the Deputy Vice Chancellor-Academic (DVCA). This paper discusses the background and evolution of the integrated Honours Project (Mech. Eng. 4143). Importantly, responses of key stakeholders, to the course work and outcomes are examined. These stakeholders include current students, industry, community members and academics. Suggestions for continued evolution and improvements will also be discussed.