Abstract:

Project-based learning (PBL) is a key pedagogical approach in engineering education as it encourages active students’ participation, critical thinking and the development of practical skills. Thus, integrating PBL into the curriculum is vital to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world applications. Through PBL, students are encouraged to solve problems in a simulated industrial environment. This approach not only enhances their technical skills, but also improves their teamwork, communication and project management skills.

This paper explores the importance of PBL and presents a case study of the Industrial Organisation and Business Economics course of the Degree in Mechanical Engineering at Escola politécnica Superior de Alcoy – Universitat Politècnica de València (Spain). The case study focuses on a semester-long project in which students are presented with a multi-faceted challenge related to product development and improvement. The project incorporates elements of facility location, inventory optimisation, plant layout design and quality management. Students work collaboratively to analyse the current state of a fictitious manufacturing company, identify areas for improvement and propose comprehensive solutions.

The results of applying PBL through the case study demonstrate the effectiveness of PBL in preparing students for the complexities of the engineering profession. This application serves as a proof to the value of PBL in educating well-rounded and competent engineers capable of addressing multifaceted problems in the engineering field.

Keywords:

Project-Based Learning (PBL), Engineering Education, Multifaceted Problems, Educational Impact.