Farid Breidi, an assistant professor in the School of Engineering Technology at Purdue Polytechnic, has recently been awarded his third National Science Foundation (NSF) grant as a principal investigator. This grant supports a collaborative project involving researchers from Utah State University, Georgetown University, and South Dakota State University. The project aims to revolutionize engineering education by personalizing the curriculum and learning experience for each student.
The project, known as the Personalized Engineering Playground (PEP), is an intelligent Augmented Reality (AR) system informed by Environmental Identity Development (EID) theory. By connecting students‘ formative experiences in nature with engineering concepts, PEP seeks to create more engaging and emotionally resonant learning experiences for engineering and technology students. This innovative approach is designed to attract and retain a more diverse group of students in engineering fields, addressing workforce demands and fostering a new generation of innovators.
One of the key goals of the project is to inform the curriculum for K-12 education by leveraging insights from students‘ formative experiences that led them to pursue engineering careers. By understanding these experiences, the project aims to develop targeted outreach programs for K-12 students, potentially sparking interest in engineering among more diverse groups. This strategy could help increase diversity in the engineering pipeline and ultimately in the profession as a whole.
Breidi’s project aligns with NSF’s mission of advancing national health, prosperity, and welfare through new technology and personalized learning. By integrating environmental consciousness into the engineering curriculum, PEP contributes to developing engineers who are equipped to address pressing ecological challenges and create sustainable solutions for the future.
In conclusion, Farid Breidi’s NSF-funded project represents a significant step towards transforming engineering education through personalized learning experiences. By tapping into students‘ formative experiences and linking them to engineering concepts, PEP aims to create a more engaging and diverse engineering workforce for the future. This project not only benefits current engineering students but also has the potential to inspire the next generation of innovators through targeted K-12 outreach programs. With its focus on environmental consciousness and sustainability, PEP is poised to make a lasting impact on the field of engineering education.