Team building in lower division projects courses

Teamwork in lower division projects courses is increasingly common. To ensure student effectiveness in these teams, instructors must assume a facilitator role to nurture team process and progress. This paper describes team-building activities in two introductory engineering design/build projects courses at the University of Colorado at Boulder. The discussion is organized around developmental stages that teams typically pass through-forming, storming, norming and performing-with stage-appropriate reference to team needs, assessment and activities designed to build team skills. An evaluation of this team-building program is provided, based on skills self-assessment data gathered from students during one semester. Implications and suggestions for curriculum improvement are discussed.