Open AccessProject MESA: Impact of a student-led service learning project on cultural intelligence and socially engaged design
Author(s) -
Brennan Burrows,
Aashna Pradhan,
Vedhika Raghunathan,
Neha Gogineni,
Giuliana Motta,
Harini Pennathur,
Kaila Tu
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
international journal for service learning in engineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 1555-9033
DOI - 10.24908/ijsle.v16i1.14490
Subject(s) - formative assessment , service learning , project based learning , service (business) , psychology , service design , project team , medical education , engineering , pedagogy , knowledge management , service provider , medicine , computer science , business , marketing
The intersection of service learning and cultural intelligence has been established a way for engineering students to gain vital formative experience and skills. Project MESA (Making Examinations Safe and Accessible) is a service learning team founded to address the barriers to gynecological screenings in Nicaragua, which are believed to contribute to high cervical cancer incidence. Through this study, the service learning approach of the project is evaluated in its effectiveness in developing cultural intelligence and promoting mastery of the socially engaged design process through team participation. Results showed that students who had greater measures of sentiment for Project MESA displayed higher cultural intelligence. Through a qualitative review, students were also able to identify the major components of socially engaged design. Students who participated in Project MESA also reported that their approach to the engineering design process was enhanced by service learning. Furthermore, students responded to what they felt they were able to gain from participation in the project. A number of themes were identified, the most common of which were prototyping, cultural sensitivity, and partner communications.