Abstract:

In order to be a successful engineer in a competitive fast paced global market, technical knowledge is not sufficient by itself but essential soft skills such as teamwork, leadership and management should be honed while studying at the university. In this paper we will discuss in detail a successful interdisciplinary project that utilizes these skills: The Chem-E-Car project. The aim of the project is to design a shoe box sized vehicle that carries a certain load over a set distance by controlling a chemical reaction. As part of the project, students build a functioning car in order to participate in an international annual competition. This project is entirely managed and planned by the students with minimal scaffolding from faculty. Beginning from recruitment and selection of team members, to preparing a budget, design creation, purchasing of materials, managing a timeline, managing members and finally testing the vehicle and packing it to take part in the competition.

Keywords:

Soft skills, interdisciplinary project, engineering, chem-E-car.