Exploring Integrative Thinking in student-created engineering-design projects

Building on our multi-part series on the Ways of Thinking for Engineering Design-based Physics (WoT4EDP) framework, this exploratory study investigates how Integrative Thinking emerges as student groups solve self-generated Engineering Design (ED) problems. We explore the foundational question: What is Integrative Thinking? Although no frameworks currently define it, this study aims to contribute to its development, using the definition of Integrative STEM as a guide. In this preliminary study, we apply the framework by Sneider et al. to explore the integration of computational and mathematical thinking.

The study took place in an ED-based, calculus-based physics lab course for future engineers. Fourteen student groups framed their own design problems and worked toward solutions over five weeks. We present guiding questions from our research and share preliminary findings from the analysis of the students' written reports.