Mississippi State University, Mississippi
March 9, 2025
March 9, 2025
March 11, 2025
Professional Papers
9
https://peer.asee.org/54170
4
Sylmarie Dávila-Montero serves as an assistant professor in the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department at The Citadel. Her teaching experience spans across various undergraduate levels, including freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors. She received a B.S. degree in electrical engineering and a minor in applied mathematics (with high honors) from the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, in 2015 and a Ph.D. degree in electrical engineering from Michigan State University (MSU), East Lansing, Michigan, in 2022. Sylmarie worked as a Systems Engineer for the MITRE Corporation in 2015 and as a Data Analyst/Contractor for the Environmental Protection Agency in 2018 and 2019. Her research interests include real-time processing of biomedical and social signals, efficient implementation of machine learning algorithms, design of wearable social behavior and health monitoring systems, and engineering education.
A strong understanding of the engineering design process (EDP) is essential for engineering students, as it provides a framework to develop and apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills. In engineering, senior design courses focus on the use of the EDP to develop solutions to complex problems. However, students frequently overlook the importance of the early stages of the EDP, eager to jump directly into product implementation. This paper describes an EDP exercise implemented with freshman electrical and computer engineering students, aimed at emphasizing the value of the early stages of the EDP, as well as teamwork and communication skills. The primary objective was for students to collaborate in teams and apply the EDP to address a real-world problem. The exercise spanned two weeks: the first week focused on familiarizing students with EDP concepts, defining the problem and those affected by it, identifying constraints, analyzing the market, and proposing a solution. In the second week, students implemented their proposed solutions by building mock prototypes, using craft materials, and presenting their results. As a result, students engaged deeply with the design process, concentrating on the early stages and bringing their solution to “life” through the construction of mock prototypes. The paper includes objectives, required tools, instructions, a timeline of the design process, and sample student work. Student reflections collected using a “classroom critical incident questionnaire” revealed high levels of engagement throughout the exercise, from problem identification to prototype presentation.
Davila-Montero, S. (2025, March), Fostering Early-Stage Design Thinking: A Hands-On Design Exercise for Freshman Engineering Students Paper presented at 2025 ASEE Southeast Conference , Mississippi State University, Mississippi. https://peer.asee.org/54170
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