The Value of Impromptu Design Exercises as an Approach in Design-Centric Engineering Education

To address the significant gap in engineering curricula regarding the teaching and learning of design, accrediting agencies and industry leaders have called for the integration of design experiences throughout engineering course work. This paper shares the results of a study which examined the process of implementing impromptu design exercises in engineering science classes as one means of infusing design instruction throughout the curriculum. The paper shares both the challenges and benefits cited by instructors and students in using impromptu design activities to teach design. The authors conclude that impromptu design exercises hold considerable potential as an approach in design-centric curriculum, a potential not fully realized by their current use as icebreaker or team-building activities.