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Dayton Engineer

First-Year Course, Engineering Innovations, Expands Its Reach to a Global Level

By Katherine Klem ‘19, marketing and communications intern

Over the past few years, the University of Dayton School of Engineering’s Engineering Innovations (EGR 103) course has been modified to help better serve our communities. The course now focuses on teaching students to solve problems that can directly make an impact on others.

Not only has the course been altered, but now offers a spring break study abroad option to facilitate first-year students’ learning by experiencing engineering problems and solutions first hand. The inaugural spring break trip was taken to the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico in March 2019.

Since the devastating hurricanes that struck Puerto Rico in 2017, the need for young problem solvers has grown exponentially. During UD’s trip, EGR 103 students were tasked with identifying need and developing projects that can be researched, explored and solved on campus. In addition, students were able to participate in a cultural experience that cannot be found in the classroom. Explorations included trips to El Yunque Rainforest, local beaches and Old San Juan. 

The trip, led by Professor Beth Hart, was such a great success that a 2020 trip to Costa Rica to study that country’s renewable and clean energy. As Costa Rica continues to be a global leader in carbon neutrality, this landscape will offer our students an unparalleled learning experience. During their trip, students should expect to learn about the Celsia wind turbine project in Guanancaste, Los Negros hydroelectric plant, Miravalles geothermal power plant and the El Viejo sugar mill plant.  

Don’t miss out on the incredible, growing opportunities in the School of Engineering! Please contact Professor Beth Hart or the Office of Education Abroad for more information.

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