Entrepreneurially Minded Learning in the Unit Operations Laboratory Through Community Engagement in a Blended Teaching Environment

Authors

  • Erick S. Vasquez University of Dayton https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4811-6155
  • Kelly Bohrer University of Dayton
  • Abraham Noe-Hays Rich Earth Institute
  • Arthur Davis Rich Earth Institute
  • Matthew DeWitt University of Dayton
  • Michael J. Elsass University of Dayton

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18260/2-1-370.660-125257

Abstract

Online and blended learning opportunities in Chemical Engineering curriculum emerged due to COVID-19. After eight weeks of in-person Unit Operations Laboratory sessions, a remote-learning open-ended final project was assigned to student teams. The assignment involved aspects related to entrepreneurially-minded learning (EML) and community-based learning (CBL). Results show correlations between self-directed learning and the EML framework. Continuous support and involvement of a community partner correlate to students' motivation, critical for successful remote-learning implementations in engineering education.

Author Biographies

Erick S. Vasquez, University of Dayton

Erick S. Vasquez is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering at the University of Dayton. His educational research interests are community-based learning, open-ended laboratory experiments, teamwork, collaborative and active learning, and Transport Phenomena computational modeling. Erick was born in El Salvador and there received his BEng in Chemical Engineering at UCA. He obtained his MS from Clemson University and his PhD from Mississippi State University, both in Chemical Engineering. ORCID: 0000-0002-4811-6155

Kelly Bohrer, University of Dayton

Kelly Bohrer is the Executive Director for the ETHOS Center and the Director of Community Relations for the School of Engineering at the University of Dayton. She provides leadership and faculty development for community/university partnerships for the common good, and she has developed and led scholarly activities in the areas of community-engaged global learning and the KEEN network's entrepreneurial mindset. Kelly received her BS in Environmental Biology and her MS in Ecology at the University of Dayton.

Abraham Noe-Hays, Rich Earth Institute

Abraham Noe-Hays is Co-Founder and Research Director of the Rich Earth Institute, in Brattleboro, Vermont, overseeing the multidisciplinary research program associated with the nation’s first community-scale urine-to-fertilizer recycling program. He also heads the R&D program at the spin-off Rich Earth LLC, developing building-scale urine concentration and treatment systems. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Human Ecology from the College of the Atlantic.

Arthur Davis, Rich Earth Institute

Arthur Davis is a Research Associate at the Rich Earth Institute in Brattleboro, VT and runs the Institute's community-scale urine recycling program in addition to working on technical and agronomic research. Arthur holds a BA from Oberlin College where he majored in Geology and minored in Environmental Studies.

Matthew DeWitt, University of Dayton

Matthew DeWitt is a Distinguished Research Engineer at the University of Dayton Research Institute and holds a joint appointment as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering at the University of Dayton. He has interest in applying his practical research experience to promote a positive learning environment. Dr. DeWitt received his BS in Chemical Engineering from The Ohio State University and his PhD in Chemical Engineering from Northwestern University.

 

Michael J. Elsass, University of Dayton

Michael J. Elsass is the Director of Chemical Engineering at the University of Dayton. His educational research interests relate to the undergraduate laboratory experience and development of computational tools for the undergraduate classroom. Mike earned his BCME at the University of Dayton and his MS and PhD in Chemical Engineering at The Ohio State University. He completed post-doctoral research projects with both Ohio State and UCLA.

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Published

2021-11-03

Issue

Vol. 56 No. 1 (2022): Winter 2022

Section

Manuscripts