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Service Learning Capstone Projects to Enhance Civil Engineering Education

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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

Committee on Educational Policy Presents: Pillars of Our Classrooms

Tagged Division

Civil Engineering Division (CIVIL)

Page Count

15

DOI

10.18260/1-2--44203

Permanent URL

https://peer.asee.org/44203

Download Count

149

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Paper Authors

biography

Xi Wang Drexel University

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Xi Wang is an Assistant Teaching Professor in Construction Management program at Drexel University. She received her Ph.D. and M.Eng both in Civil Engineering from the University of Kentucky and Auburn University. Her research interests include technology adoption in building trades, learning motivation, and engineering student success.

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Hans M. Tritico University of Mount Union

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Kathleen M. Short

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Vahraz Honary

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Abstract

Service learning is an educational approach that connects academic curriculum to community problem-solving. Research findings demonstrate that service learning is well-suited for educating Civil Engineering students because of the applied and service-oriented nature of the discipline. As an essential part of Civil Engineering undergraduate education, senior capstone design projects is an effective implementation of service learning. Community-based projects provide an excellent opportunity for students to realize the importance of life-long learning, integration of technical knowledge, and the relevance of civil engineering as a service profession. This paper discusses pedagogical aspects of Service Learning and presents two senior capstone projects in detail: designing and building a zipline tower and two timber bridges for a local community. This paper outlines the entire design and build process from conception to completion, with emphasis on problem definition, development of design ideas, communications and interactions with stakeholders, detailed designed improvement, and construction issues. Based on the learning outcome assessments and feedback from the local community, two service learning projects successfully provide vehicles to enable students to develop their technical skills and enhance their social self-efficacy and employability.

Wang, X., & Tritico, H. M., & Short, K. M., & Honary, V. (2023, June), Service Learning Capstone Projects to Enhance Civil Engineering Education Paper presented at 2023 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Baltimore , Maryland. 10.18260/1-2--44203

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