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This content will become publicly available on September 5, 2026

Title: IMPACT OF A THREE-PHASE EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING PROGRAM IN MECHATRONICS EDUCATION
From a three-phase experiential learning experience at Michigan Technological University (Michigan Tech) to develop the Mechatronics workforce, the authors aim to describe here the impacts and lessons learned. Mechatronics is the science of developing, interfacing, and operating automation in industrial environments. Though a mechatronics-educated workforce is highly sought by companies, due to advancements in biotechnology, manufacturing, and artificial intelligence (AI), the required experiential learning opportunities to create such a workforce are limited. In this study, the authors conducted an accessible experiential learning program aimed at educating and promoting the mechatronics workforce at Michigan Tech. Specifically, the program consisted of three phases: (1) an online Mechatronics Education Portal (MEP), (2) in-person Mechatronics Practice (MP) labs, and (3) a Mechatronics Industry Pathways Rotation (MIPR). The proposed experience was conducted with a cohort of nine participants in its first year and resulted in significant improvement in technical test scores of 2.56 out of 10 and with at least 75% of the participants rating the MEP, MP, and MIPR as good or better.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
2322532
PAR ID:
10635002
Author(s) / Creator(s):
; ; ; ; ; ;
Publisher / Repository:
Zenodo
Date Published:
Journal Name:
Technology Interface International Journal
ISSN:
1523-9926
Format(s):
Medium: X
Right(s):
Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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