Problem based learning and design thinking methodologies for teaching renewable energy in engineering programs: Implementation in a Colombian university context

Abstract

The rapid depletion of fossil fuel reserves, population growth, and increasing environmental pollution have forced a change in the search for alternatives to produce and use energy. Currently, renewable energies (RE) have achieved more efficient advances to produce energy from non-conventional and inexhaustible sources, which can meet the basic needs of society and whose environmental impact is a door of opportunities for all. For this reason, academia has a preponderant role in ensuring that engineers are fully equipped with the necessary skills to provide feasible and contextualised solutions for this era of energy transition framed by the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This article explores the impact on the development of the necessary skills for engineers in the renewable energy sector by tracing a route towards the acquisition of renewable energy knowledge with strategically organised work teams of undergraduate students, where two methodologies that are gaining ground in engineering education programs are applied: Problem Based Learning(PBL)and Design thinking (DT).After the validation of these techniques, it is concluded that bringing engineering students closer to real contexts related to renewable energies and above all with an objective of impact on communities, it is the right way to build knowledge in teams, in an immersive and committed way with the institution, which has developed and implemented an innovative pedagogical method based on the application of a critical educational model focused on the development of competencies, where the union of new technologies with the teaching processes on which this research is based is envisioned for the future.

Keywords:

• problem-based learning
• design thinking
• engineering education
• Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

PUBLIC INTEREST STATEMENT

This article explores the impact on the development of the necessary skills for engineers in the renewable energy sector by tracing a route towards the acquisition of renewable energy knowledge with strategically organised undergraduate students’ teams, where two methodologies, that are gaining ground in engineering education programs, are applied: Problem Based Learning (PBL) and Design thinking (DT). It is concluded that bringing engineering students closer to real contexts related to renewable energies and above all with an objective of impact on communities add value to the student learning process.

Acknowledgement

This project is funded by Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia. Grant number: INV3184 “Metodología basada en gamificación para mejorar el proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje de los objetivos de desarrollo sostenible en estudiantes de primaria, secundaria e ingenierías” (Methodology based on gamification to improve the teaching-learning process of the Sustainable Development Goals in primary, secondary and engineering students).

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia [INV3184].

Notes on contributors

Ramón Fernando Colmenares-Quintero

Ramón Fernando Colmenares-Quintero is currently national head of research in engineering and Professor Dr. at UCC with research focus on smart energy generation, simulation and modelling in the energy sector and vulnerable communities.

Juan Carlos Colmenares-Quintero is the leader of the research group CatSEE from the IPC/PAS in Poland. His interests range from materials science/nanotechnology to photocatalysis and water/air purification.

Diana Milena Caicedo-Concha

Diana Milena Caicedo-Concha is a lecturer in Industrial and Environmental Engineering and researcher at UCC. Her research interests are related to sustainable energies, solid waste management and solid waste valorisation.

Natalia Rojas

Natalia Rojas has a degree in Civil Engineering and an MSc in Marine Renewables, works for Aquatera bringing knowledge and expertise in energy engineering.

Kim E. Stansfield

Kim E. Stansfield got a PhD in Composites from Kingston University. He was sustainable energy systems transformation planner at the UK ETI. Joined Warwick WMG in 2016.

Juan Carlos Colmenares-Quintero

Ramón Fernando Colmenares-Quintero is currently national head of research in engineering and Professor Dr. at UCC with research focus on smart energy generation, simulation and modelling in the energy sector and vulnerable communities.

Juan Carlos Colmenares-Quintero is the leader of the research group CatSEE from the IPC/PAS in Poland. His interests range from materials science/nanotechnology to photocatalysis and water/air purification.