A case study of service learning and civic engagement for mechatronics engineering students through a course project

This paper presents a case study of integrating a service learning project into an undergraduate Mechatronics engineering course titled “Building Automation” for the first time at the Hashemite University in Jordan. The project requires students to visit hospitals to learn about a variety of building systems that they have come across during their course lectures. After grasping the operating principles of building systems available in hospitals, students are required to brainstorm and suggest innovative ideas on how to reduce energy consumption based on tips and hints provided by the instructor and specialized consultants in the field of energy. Students achievement in this project was obtained, through their academic supervisor, their energy consultants, their community partners (hospital personnel), and students reflection on their experience. This paper presents qualitative analysis of integrating service learning and civic engagement in this course, explained the benefits, challenges, and recommendations for future implementation.