Incorporating Entrepreneurially Minded Learning into a Junior/Senior Level Mechatronics Course Project Covering Dynamic Systems, Modeling, and Control

At Lawrence Technology University, a junior/senior level mechatronics course within the undergraduate mechanical engineering program was modified to include entrepreneurially minded learning content in existing problem-based learning activities. The real-world projects incorporated modeling and analysis of dynamic systems, selection and integration of sensors and actuators, and feedback control. This study assessed the course modifications based on student behaviors corresponding to an entrepreneurial mindset. The entrepreneurial mindset was defined by the KEEN framework including the “three Cs” and associated example behaviors. Course modifications included a fictitious customer created to provide direct student-customer interaction throughout the process. Other elements were added in project stages to focus student attention on economic drivers. Student surveys indicated that the students demonstrated the tested entrepreneurial mindset example behaviors at least “sometimes” and up to “often”. Further work is needed to test all example behaviors within the KEEN entrepreneurial mindset framework.