This project is developing a freshman and sophomore engineering course sequence meshing robotics with engineering fundamentals creating a sustainable, project driven curriculum. The entire freshman year is focusing on robotics: the students are purchasing Boe-Bot robotics kits with a basic micro-controller. The ownership and maintenance of the lab is in the hands of the students creating an environment where they can work in their rooms on laboratory exercises and product development. Student ownership of the laboratory is changing the way engineering is approached, particularly for low-level classes. The labs are motivating learning, broadening the spectrum of projects and design topics that can be addressed, and providing a high degree of experiential learning for the students. The curriculum is impacting approximately 1500 freshman and sophomore students annually.
The educational implications of using resources and space controlled by the students are being assessed in terms of curriculum sustainability and in terms of student confidence, creativity, design skills, engineering fundamentals, and retention. Dissemination of the results and educational materials through conference publications, workshops for faculty and a website is encouraging implementation of the living with the lab concept at other institutions.
