Engaging First-Year Students with a Hands-On Course using Student-Driven Projects

This evidence-based practice paper describes the development of a second-semester project-based learning course for freshmen in the College of Science and Engineering at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. The course grew from a collegiate effort to develop community and equip freshmen with the knowledge, experiences and skills they need to be successful and remain engaged in science and engineering. It builds on a first-semester required course for freshmen that addresses vital topics such as choosing a major, becoming engaged in activities, understanding diversity and developing a resume. The topic of this paper is a second semester, hands-on, elective project-based learning course that is designed to give freshmen the chance to explore their interests and experience the satisfaction of completing a challenging, student-driven team project.