DRIVING INNOVATION IN ENGINEERING THROUGH INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING PROJECTS

Ciprian LAPUSAN, Olimpiu HANCU, Silvia SATORRES MARTÍNEZ, Ruben DORADO VICENTE, Eloisa TORRES JIMENEZ, Timo MALVISALO, Ciprian RAD

Abstract


This paper introduces the Cases for Experiential Learning (CEL) Project, a new framework that engages international, cross-disciplinary teams of engineering students in solving real-world research and industry challenges. The framework combines intensive work sessions, brainstorming activities, reflective discussions on results, virtual collaboration, and a final defense. The proposed activities aim to support both the consolidation of students' theoretical knowledge and the creation of innovative solutions. As a case example, the paper details the CEL project organized at the Technical University of Cluj-Napoca (TUCN) during the 2024 spring semester. The topic of the project challenged students to design a novel robotic gantry system. The students' proposed concepts are presented and analyzed. The results highlight the originality of the proposed solutions and the framework’s potential to foster creativity and interdisciplinary innovation in engineering education.

Full Text:

PDF

References


Gupta, L., Arora, P., Sharma, R., Chitkara, M., Project based learning: an enhanced approach for learning in engineering. In Proceedings of ICTIEE 2014, pp. 581-58, New Delhi, India, 2014

Mahtani, K., Guerrero, J. M., Decroix, J.. Implementing innovation in project-based learning in electro-mechanical engineering education. International Journal of Mechanical Engineering Education, 2024

Yardley, S., Teunissen, P. W., Dornan, T., Experiential learning: transforming theory into practice, Medical teacher, 34(2), 161-164, 2012.

Tembrevilla, G., Phillion, A., Zeadin, M., Experiential learning in engineering education: A systematic literature review. Journal of Engineering Education, 113(1), 195-218, 2024.

Dewey, J., Experience and education: Kappa Delta Pi., International Honor Society in Education, 1938

Kolb, A. Y., & Kolb, D. A., Learning styles and learning spaces: Enhancing experiential learning in higher education. Academy of management learning & education, 4(2), 193-212, 2005.

Lavado-Anguera, et al., Project-based learning (PBL) as an Experiential Pedagogical Methodology in Engineering Education: a review of the literature, Education Sciences, 14(6), 617, 2024.

Cocota, J. A. N., D’Angelo, T., de Barros Monteiro, P. M., A project-based learning experience in the teaching of robotics, IEEE Revista Iberoamericana de Tecnologias del Aprendizaje, 10(4), 302-309, 2015

Habib, M. K., Nagata, F., Watanabe, K., Mechatronics: Experiential learning and the stimulation of thinking skills. Education Sciences, 11(2), 46, 2021

Lapusan, C., Rusu, C., Brai, L., Mandru, D., Development of a multifunctional robotic arm for in-pipe robots, Proceedings of 7th ECAI Conference, pp. WR-11, 2015

Martínez, S. S., Estevez, E., Kakko, A., Matilainen, J., Ortega, J. G., García, J. G., Bridging the gap between Higher Education Institutions and companies. The HEIBus cooperation models, Proceedings of INTED, pp. 8114-8122, 2019

Martínez, S., S., et al., "Sharing Strengths to Improve International Collaborative Learning and Teaching Processes in Higher Education: The NextGEng Project." Proceedings of INTED, 2023

Mehmood, Yasir, Ferdinando Cannella, Silvio Cocuzza, "Analytical Modeling, Virtual Prototyping, and Performance Optimization of Cartesian Robots: A Comprehensive Review." Robotics 14, no. 5 Vol 62, 2025

Zhang, Zhaokun, et al., "State-of-the-art on theories and applications of cable-driven parallel robots." Frontiers of Mechanical Engineering 17, no. 3, Vol 37, 2022


Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.


JOURNAL INDEXED IN :