A presentation from the STEM Annual Conference 2014.
The Integrated Engineering Programme (IEP) at UCL is on course to roll out across the faculty via a complete Year 1 engineering student cohort of approximately 650 at the start of the 2014 autumn term. Pilot projects are currently being rolled out to test develop and refine the key aspects of the IEP prior to its official launch. Students are initially introduced to the fundamental elements of engineering design and thinking successful team working and effective communication and professional practices prior to participating in PBL based ‘Engineering Scenarios’. The approach to learning is three-tiered where formal introductions continuous practice and timely reflection are established as its foundation. The PBL environment is being strengthened by a programme to give students the tools and vocabulary to help them identify fully explore utilise and develop their natural talents and personal strengths throughout their engineering education. Through such exercise students become familiar with a common language used by employers and develop a heightened awareness of each other’s potential when working to contribute to shared team goals. Additionally addressing this level of self-awareness students build mutual respect; the programme is designed to produce graduates that are more easily attuned to top companies’ values in diversity and inclusivity that essentially are founded on respect. A strengths-based personal profiling and self-assessment tool is introduced and explored to give the students a chance at understanding the type of engineering activity they enjoy and feel they can excel in.
