Fostering Project-Based Learning through Industry Engagement in Capstone Design Projects

Extensive studies have indicated that real-life project-based learning through industry involvement in capstone design courses provides benefits to students, faculty, and practitioners. This paper presents the contributions of participants student experiential civil environmental engineering senior at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU). Surveys were conducted obtain insights into course from perspectives both students Practitioners been involved various roles, including project mentors for projects and/or judges students’ presentations. Practitioners, are provided with new ways looking solving problems. their involvement, provide valuable feedback faculty enriches overall experience gained course. helps improve performance on them additional tools carry forward careers. However, there was a gap perception between practitioners regard involvement. also describes two successful culminates success drivers reflection instructors teaching these courses. The results this study substantial implications They showed what did well pinpointed areas improvement lens