Software engineering projects with social significance: An experience report at a minority university

Recent research indicates that women and minority students find computer science more meaningful and engaging when they have a chance to apply their knowledge within communal and societal context. We report the experience gained while incorporating a software engineering project that aid community and society at a university that predominantly serves underrepresented minority students. The project that we utilized allows the students to apply the theories and principles of software engineering on a real life scenario while keeping them engaged and motivated, addresses the needs of community and society, and better prepares the minority students for their professional career through improved academic achievement, enhanced self-reliance and community engagement. The project can easily be replicated and adopted to any project-based software engineering course taught at any university and likely to generate similar benefits to students and society that we noticed.