Abstract
Engineering virtual internships are a novel paradigm for providing authentic engineering experiences in the first-year curriculum. They are both individualized and accommodate large numbers of students. As we describe in this report, this approach can (a) enable students to solve complex engineering problems in a mentored, collaborative environment; (b) allow educators to assess engineering thinking; and (c) provide an introductory experience that students enjoy and find valuable. Furthermore, engineering virtual internships have been shown to increase students' - and especially women's - interest in and motivation to pursue engineering degrees. When implemented in first-year engineering curricula more broadly, the potential impact of engineering virtual internships on the size and diversity of the engineering workforce could be dramatic.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Article number | 024701 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Journal of Biomechanical Engineering |
Volume | 137 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Feb 2015 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- cornerstone design
- design thinking
- engineering education
- engineering thinking
- epistemic frame theory
- epistemic network analysis