A Multilevel Assessment Process For Student/Faculty Teams In A Project Based Learning Environment

High tides, sinking buildings, 12 million tourists a year all contribute to the problems of Venice, Italy. Canals designed to handle limited human-powered boat traffic are now inundated by powerboats. Biological, chemical, and mechanical factors damage centuries-old walls, resulting in annual repair costs of several million euros. Moto ondoso, the wall damage caused by the relentless pounding by boat wakes, is a complex problem that involves chemical and other engineering issues, culture, and economics. It is also a political and social problem frequently appearing in the popular press and in public demonstrations (see Figure 1).