Abstract:

The teaching method based on Project-Based Learning (PBL) allows the students to acquire key-knowledge and to improve practical skills by developing projects that try to solve real-life problems. They become active participants of their own learning progression, increasing their autonomy and responsibility. What is more, they have to be in charge of planning their personal work and elaborating the solution of the raised questions, being the instructor a mere tool for guiding and supporting them throughout the whole procedure.

In this work, following a didactic methodology based on projects, the students are intended to self-learn about the importance of the structural geometry and the strength of materials. The goal is that they could define and construct their own models, applying the engineering design process. Furthermore, with this activity the participants are expected to discover and understand the principles of equilibrium, rigidity, strength and stability mandatory in a structures project. The design process is requested to be developed in five main stages which are the definition of the problem, the investigation of previous related studies, the proposal of a solution, the phase of testing and the post-analysis of possible improvements. All these steps should contribute not only to the autodidacticism of the student but also to stimulate the creativity, curiosity and scientific vocation of the people involved.

Keywords:

Project-based learning, structures design process, strength of materials.