Learning based on interdisciplinary projects with students from several engineering courses: case study on energy sustainability

Abstract

The study of environmental and energy issues are as important as the specific disciplines of engineering courses. Within this context, the Environmental Sciences course provided the students an analysis of the relationship between the specific disciplines of their courses with relevant environmental issues, using the Project-Based Learning Methodology. Students were sorted into teams of ten from different Engineering courses and encouraged to create a project with feasible solutions for economy of energy and use of more sustainable energy sources. As a result, three projects were proposed: 1. Development of an application where the consumers can analyze their electricity consumption and the best way to save it, using mobile platforms like Android®, IOS® and Windows Phone®. 2. "Recharge your ideas": project for the installation of an individual photovoltaic system, which is an individual and non-interconnected electrical energy generating system, in order to provide clean and sustainable energy in a safe and satisfactory way at the University campus. 3. "Low cost solar heater": developed to serve lowincome rural communities. A prototype was made to estimate all necessary costs to make it and what would be the return in economy for the residences. With the development of these projects, it is perceived that interdisciplinarity is fundamental to the understanding of the themes developed, requiring the effort of students and teachers from the most diverse areas of engineering. The solution to most of the current problems in different areas of knowledge requires a more effective dialogue between disciplines and between professionals towards more adequate and self-sustainable solutions. To the students in particular, these activities promoted a practical experience and theoretical approach of different processes of Science and Technology and the opportunity to act in the solution of problems based on the knowledge acquired in the course in the resolution of real environmental and energy problems.