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A Perspectives-Making Approach to Biomedical Engineering Design: Entrepreneurship, Bio-Inspired Design, and Arts

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Conference

2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Location

Portland, Oregon

Publication Date

June 23, 2024

Start Date

June 23, 2024

End Date

June 26, 2024

Conference Session

Biomedical Engineering Division (BED) Technical Session 2

Tagged Division

Biomedical Engineering Division (BED)

Tagged Topic

Diversity

Page Count

12

DOI

10.18260/1-2--46472

Permanent URL

https://peer.asee.org/46472

Download Count

52

Paper Authors

biography

Adel Alhalawani Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology

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Dr. Adel Alhalawani’s teaching interests include engineering design, biomechanics, statics and mechanics of materials, biomaterials and design of manufacturing. His research has focused on bio-glass based adhesives for orthopedic applications and dental-based adhesives.

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Sophia Koop

biography

Thomas Omwando Simpson University

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Dr. Thomas Omwando holds a PhD in Industrial Engineering from the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee. He is an Assistant Professor and Director of Engineering program at Simpson University. His teaching interests are in statistical quality control, manufacturing processes, engineering/project management, engineering economy and production and operations analysis. His research interests are in sustainable manufacturing, entrepreneurially minded learning and project based learning approaches in education

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biography

Lisa Bosman Purdue University

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Dr. Bosman holds a PhD in Industrial Engineering. Her engineering education research interests include entrepreneurially minded learning, energy education, interdisciplinary education, and faculty professional development.

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Abstract

Many engineering students have reported feeling a disconnect between the curriculum they learn at school and the skills they need to be successful in their first job. As a result, engineering graduates can feel unprepared or underprepared to handle challenges in the workplace. It is proposed that the main driver of this problem is the lack of real-world learning opportunities in higher education. In response, the authors implemented a five-week learning intervention in a biomedical engineering course (Mechanics of Materials) with the aim of providing students with multidisciplinary open-ended, real-world project experience. To assess student perceptions of the new curriculum intervention, reflections were collected and qualitatively analyzed resulting in 3 overarching themes, including creativity in user-centered design, time management, and communication/collaboration. These themes demonstrate that students felt they acquired or expanded skills that are considered vital in a work environment. Therefore, applying this project experience on a larger scale can alleviate some of the unpreparedness that engineering students feel as they leave school and enter the workforce. The intervention details and lessons learned will be provided to encourage other engineering instructors to implement similar real-world learning strategies in the higher education classroom.

Alhalawani, A., & Koop, S., & Omwando, T., & Bosman, L. (2024, June), A Perspectives-Making Approach to Biomedical Engineering Design: Entrepreneurship, Bio-Inspired Design, and Arts Paper presented at 2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Portland, Oregon. 10.18260/1-2--46472

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