This paper presentation will look at using project-based learning as a creative pedagogy to increase student engagement in Engineering and Design subjects in the first and second year of undergraduate study. The presentation will use the Engineering for People Design Challenge an award-winning design programme being run by Engineers Without Borders UK at 28 universities across the UK involving 5000 students each year as a case study to demonstrate the effectiveness of this method of teaching.
The presentation will draw upon concrete examples of where project-based learning has been a catalyst to increase the degree of student engagement. Evaluation data from the Engineering for People Design Challenge will also be presented to provide evidence of success using this approach to teaching. The presentation will also touch upon training that has been delivered as part of the programme to enable academics to deliver project-based learning initiatives and encourage creativity amongst their students.
