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Beyond the Classroom: Experiential Learning with Engineers Without Borders in Guatemala

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Conference

2023 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Location

Baltimore , Maryland

Publication Date

June 25, 2023

Start Date

June 25, 2023

End Date

June 28, 2023

Conference Session

Engineering Technology Division (ETD) Technical Session 1

Tagged Division

Engineering Technology Division (ETD)

Tagged Topic

Diversity

Page Count

9

DOI

10.18260/1-2--42365

Permanent URL

https://peer.asee.org/42365

Download Count

236

Paper Authors

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Dalya Ismael Old Dominion University

biography

Orlando M. Ayala Old Dominion University Orcid 16x16 orcid.org/0000-0003-0604-8606

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Dr. Ayala received his BS in Mechanical Engineering with honors (Cum Laude) from Universidad de Oriente (Venezuela) in 1995, MS in 2001, and Ph.D. in 2005, both from the University of Delaware (USA). Dr. Ayala is currently serving as Associate Professor in the Engineering Technology Department at Old Dominion University. Prior to joining ODU in 2013, Dr. Ayala spent 3 years as a Postdoc at the University of Delaware where he expanded his knowledge on simulation
of multiphase flows while acquiring skills in high-performance parallel computing and scientific computation. Before that, Dr. Ayala held a faculty position at Universidad de Oriente where he taught and developed courses for a number of subjects such as Fluid Mechanics, Heat Transfer, Thermodynamics, Multiphase Flows, Hydraulic Machinery, as well as different Laboratory courses. Additionally, Dr. Ayala has had the opportunity to work for a number of engineering consulting companies, which have given him an important perspective and exposure to the industry. He has been directly involved in at least 20 different engineering projects related to a wide range of industries. Dr. Ayala has provided service to professional organizations such as ASME, since 2008 he has been a member of the Committee of Spanish Translation of ASME Codes. Dr. Ayala has published over one hundred journal and peer-reviewed conference papers. His work has been presented in several international forums in Austria, the USA, Venezuela, Japan, France, Mexico, and Argentina. Dr. Ayala has a 42.80 average of citations per year of all his published work.

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Abstract

Engineers Without Borders (EWB) is a non-profit organization that designs and implements sustainable engineering projects to improve the quality of life for disadvantaged communities. This study investigates the impact of student participation in an EWB project in Guatemala aimed at improving access to clean water in a disadvantaged community. Specifically, the study explores the skills gained, career aspirations, and understanding of global issues and sustainable development among the participating students. The project involved a collaboration between EWB students and community members to design and implement a sustainable water supply distribution system. Results from a post-project questionnaire indicate that the project positively impacted the personal and professional development of the students, equipping them with diverse skills and knowledge to address complex challenges. The skills gained by the students include critical thinking, problem-solving, technical writing, and proficiency in engineering surveying, fluid mechanics, hydraulic engineering, and AutoCAD. The challenges emphasized the importance of flexibility, creativity, and resilience in community-based initiatives and effective project management strategies. This study contributes to the existing literature by offering new insights into the impact of experiential learning on student development and the role of community-driven projects in sustainable engineering. These findings can inform the design of effective experiential learning programs and highlight the significance of incorporating real-world projects into engineering education curricula. Educators, practitioners, and policymakers can use the results of this study to design and promote service-learning initiatives that prepare future leaders in sustainable engineering. Future research can expand on the scope of this study by investigating the generalizability of the results to other regions and cultures and exploring potential ways to improve the program to support the development of future leaders in sustainable engineering.

Ismael, D., & Ayala, O. M. (2023, June), Beyond the Classroom: Experiential Learning with Engineers Without Borders in Guatemala Paper presented at 2023 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Baltimore , Maryland. 10.18260/1-2--42365

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