Inspiring engineering education: Service learning in manufacturing projects for ecological entities

Abstract

This study explores the educational and practical impacts of a service-learning project, focusing on the collaboration between a university and vocational training schools. The project aimed to develop various initiatives related to ecological entities with focus on an innovative prototype for controlling invasive aquatic turtles, addressing need of and ecological entity from Tarragona region. Using the CDIO (Conceive, Design, Implement, Operate) educational framework, students applied theoretical engineering concepts in a hands-on, real-world context, fostering strong interdisciplinary collaboration between the academic institutions and the ecological entity requesting the prototype. The research question that guided this work was: How can a service-learning project, integrating the CDIO educational framework, enhance students’ academic learning, interdisciplinary collaboration, and civic responsibility while addressing real-world ecological challenges. The methodology employed was based on the analysis of CDIO educational framework in a service-learning project. For this analysis, we analyzed the information interchanged between university and vocational training school students, the integration of the social entity needs into the projects, the students’ reflection on engaging in service-learning with the social organization and the vocational training school and the results of a student's survey. This project is part of the mechanical engineering degree program at Universitat Rovira i Virgili during the third academic year. The research instruments were projects and reflections analysis as well as student's survey. The project demonstrated how service-learning can enrich students’ academic experience, with improvements in faculty and external support over time. The aquatic turtle control prototype was designed and manufactured according to client expectations, and the students’ involvement highlighted the societal impact of engineering solutions aimed at environmental conservation. This study also illustrates how integrating service-learning with the CDIO framework enhances both academic learning and civic responsibility, demonstrating the potential of such projects to produce socially responsible engineers capable of addressing real-world problems.