From Project-Based Learning to Innovative Technologies in Mechatronics Course: A Case Study in a Private University in Mexico City

Mechatronics engineering is a challenging discipline that needs different thinking and practices in contrast with traditional engineering. This challenging is mainly due to the demand of integration, collaboration and holistic approaches required during the design methodology. This study examines the transformation from traditional education to an in-deep professional and research focused projects. The key factor in the mechatronics learning practice includes the implementation of a major project focused on positive social impact solutions and the road map developed for this purpose. This work proposes a methodology that allows students develop a major project with a holistic view, including design constraints related to specific contextual aspects as economics, environmental, societal, ethical, health and sustainability. Also, students are able to develop professional and research skills. The methodology also allows students propose a major project focused on positive social impact with design constraints. It also exposes students different engineering and computational tools for collaboration and integration. The study uses data from 69 students enrolled along four years, from 2016 to 2019. Results show that the student learning outcomes increased significantly at the end of the period time, from to (in range between 0 to 4), reaching the satisfactory level (year-2016 as baseline). Also, 100% of the scientific papers derived from the major projects were accepted for publication in international conferences © 2024 Springer Nature