Conference Session

Systems Engineering Division (SYS) Technical Session 1

Collection

2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Rafic Bachnak, Marymount University; Abhilasha Mishra, Pennsylvania State University, Harrisburg, The Capital College

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Systems Engineering Division (SYS)

different parts of a complexsystem interact and influence each other [1]. Applying systems thinking simplifies the analysis ofcomplex problems and makes it easier to make informed decisions. According to Peter Senge[2], systems thinking is “a framework for seeing interrelationships rather than things, for seeingpatterns rather than static snapshots. It is a set of general principles spanning fields as diverseas physical and social sciences, engineering and management.” In all cases, applying systemsthinking makes it easier to make informed decisions by focusing on solutions that consider theroot cause of a problem rather than just addressing the symptoms.Interest in systems thinking has greatly increased in recent years with applications in

Conference Session

Systems Engineering Division (SYS) Technical Session 1

Collection

2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Amin Azad, University of Toronto; Emily Moore P.Eng., University of Toronto

Tagged Divisions

Systems Engineering Division (SYS)

Doctorate in Physical Chemistry from Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar. In 2016 Emily was recognized as one of 100 Global Inspirational Women in Mining and received the SCI Canada Kalev Pugi Award. Emily continues her involvement with industry by serving on boards, including Metrolinx (2019-2024), Chemtrade Logistics, International Petroleum, and the Canadian Mining Innovation Council. ©American Society for Engineering Education, 2025 The Impact of Systems Thinking Education on Engineering Students’ Approach to Real-World Challenges May 1, 20251 AbstractThis paper explores the impact of systems thinking education on engineeringstudents by

Conference Session

Systems Engineering Division (SYS) Technical Session 1

Collection

2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Micah Lande, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology; Cassandra M Birrenkott, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology; Hannah Benes, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology; Annelise Larson, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology; Mark David Bedillion, Carnegie Mellon University; Karim Heinz Muci-Kuchler, Texas State University

Tagged Divisions

Systems Engineering Division (SYS)

challengeat 3 university sites. In the product decomposition activity, students disassemble a wind-up toy toidentify subsystems, internal and external interfaces, and the role of material and design choicesin overall functionality. The Titan Submersible case study uses role-playing to simulatestakeholder dynamics, encouraging students to evaluate competing priorities and make decisionsbased on ethical, financial, and technical considerations. The paper airplane design challengeengages students in iterative prototyping to optimize performance, emphasizing trade-offs insystem design and resource constraints.Analysis of student feedback and reflections from 1 course section reveal that these activitiesenhanced engagement, creativity, and understanding

Conference Session

Systems Engineering Division (SYS) Technical Session 1

Collection

2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Mark David Bedillion, Carnegie Mellon University; Laura Ochs Pottmeyer, Carnegie Mellon University; Karim Heinz Muci-Kuchler, Texas State University; Lynn Kojtek, Carnegie Mellon University; Anahita Emami; Cassandra M Birrenkott, South Dakota Mines

Tagged Divisions

Systems Engineering Division (SYS)

management systems and its abilityto seamlessly manage embedded assessments 37–40 . Figure 1 shows an example image from one ofthe OLI modules discussed in this paper.This paper assesses the effectiveness of teaching ST / SE concepts in a first-year mechanicalengineering course via OLI modules 23 . Data are presented from three partner institutions,including a small private institution (Carnegie Mellon University), a small public technicaluniversity (South Dakota School of Mines and Technology), and a large public university (TexasState University). The paper is organized as follows. Firstly, the introductory mechanicalengineering courses at the three collaborating institutions are described, followed by a discussionFigure 1: Snapshot of OLI content

Conference Session

Systems Engineering Division (SYS) Technical Session 1

Collection

2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

John Mendoza-Garcia, University of Florida; Andrea Goncher-Sevilla, University of Florida; Mengyu Li, University of Florida

Tagged Divisions

Systems Engineering Division (SYS)

suggest that while students recognize individual challenges, they may lack a deeperunderstanding of systemic interactions. This underscores the need for educational strategies thatenhance systems thinking, emphasizing interconnectedness and long-term decision impacts. Ourresults inform approaches to better develop these critical skills in engineering students.1. INTRODUCTIONSystems engineering is a multidisciplinary field focused on designing and managing complexsystems that operate at the intersection of human, environmental, and technological factors.Systems engineers play a critical role in ensuring these systems achieve their intended purposeefficiently and effectively, often under constrained resources and within dynamic environments.This

Conference Session

Systems Engineering Division (SYS) Technical Session 2

Collection

2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Alejandro Salado, The University of Arizona; David Herring, The University of Arizona

Tagged Divisions

Systems Engineering Division (SYS)

others.You’ve recovered and taken away the knowledge those experiences provide. Each setback leavesa scar, but from those scars forms protective tissue, a reminder of what went wrong and clues toavoid similar mistakes in the future. These scars improve judgment, enhance resilience, andguide how to approach new challenges [1].For many years, the need for such depth of knowledge drawn from life experience was used as ajustification for why systems engineering could not be taught to undergraduate students.However, programs such as those at West Point and Loughborough University have shown thevalue of introducing students to systems engineering principles early in their academic journeys.At West Point, the goal of their introductory systems engineering

Conference Session

Systems Engineering Division (SYS) Technical Session 2

Collection

2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Garrett Goodman, Miami University; Suman Bhunia, Miami University; Peter Jamieson, Miami University

Tagged Divisions

Systems Engineering Division (SYS)

students receive the knowledge they require to move from theComputer Science academic setting into the professional setting, which largely utilizes suchGen-AI tools. Thus, this will prepare the next generation of computer scientists to be effectiveAI-augmented professionals.1 IntroductionArtificial Intelligence (AI) introduces challenges to the traditional educational landscape.Educators need to teach students crucial concepts for their field but also need to prepare studentson how to use relevant tools for their future in the workforce. One such tool is the emergence ofLarge Language Models (LLMs) like ChatGPT-4, Copilot, and Claude, which show a significantleap in AI capabilities. Such technologies require educators to reevaluate teaching

Conference Session

Systems Engineering Division (SYS) Technical Session 2

Collection

2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Khadija Ishfaq Rana, University of Toronto; Emily Moore, University of Toronto

Tagged Divisions

Systems Engineering Division (SYS)

consultancy. Emily joined the University of Toronto in 2018 and studies and teaches engineering leadership and ways to integrate systems thinking into complex decision making. ©American Society for Engineering Education, 2025 Evaluating the Use of System Mapping Tools to Support Researcher Understanding of Knowledge Diffusion in the Bioeconomy Khadija I. Rana1,2, Emily L. Moore1,2, Emma R. Master2 1 Institute for Studies in Transdisciplinary Engineering Education and Practice, University of Toronto, 2 Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto Toronto

Conference Session

Systems Engineering Division (SYS) Technical Session 2

Collection

2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Shamsnaz Virani Bhada, Worcester Polytechnic Institute; Sarah E. Stanlick, Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Systems Engineering Division (SYS)

Engineeringstudents articulate human diversity more centrally in their artifacts.Literature ReviewStakeholder analysis is a critical tool for engineering education which could be made moreinclusive and critical. The use of traditional models of stakeholder analysis, while centering the“user” in the creation of systems and products, can miss out on critical questions of equity,fairness, and inclusion. In order to affect change in the stakeholder analysis process, systemsengineering educators have an opportunity to create more meaningful experiences and activitiesto help students think about decolonizing engineering processes [1].Issues of equity are not just with marginalized populations but also with new tech, new methods,and a loss of objective critical

Conference Session

Systems Engineering Division (SYS) Technical Session 2

Collection

2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Abul K. M. Azad, Northern Illinois University; Jim Goodell, INFERable and IEEE Learning Technology Standards Committee; Aaron Kessler Ph.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Scotty D. Craig; Hamadou Saliah-Hassane ing., TELUQ University

Tagged Divisions

Systems Engineering Division (SYS)

address key challenges inteamwork, process design, data analysis, and ethical considerations. Concluding with aninitiative that develops a tool for tracking LE evidence and decisions, capturing actionable designchoices in relation to channels of influence. This tool can be used to design effective, sustainablelearning experiences, highlighting the potential of LE to transform practices in support ofengineering education outcomes.1. IntroductionThe concept of "Education as Engineering" was first introduced by John Dewey in 1922 [1]. Heargued that an established art of educational engineering does not yet exist. Dewey believed thatprogress in education would arise through experimentation, imagination, and courage. The trueart of education will