AC 2012-3954: RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN STUDENT CAPSTONE DESIGN PROJECT AND ENTREPRENEURIAL MINDSET

This paper provides an analysis of student perceptions of the application of the entrepreneurial mindset in regards to participation in capstone design projects. The goal of the analysis is to examine the relationship between these activities and building the entrepreneurial mindset in engineering education. Student capstone design projects have been and continue to be an integral part the engineering curriculum. Cross disciplinary and inter-disciplinary teams are formed in various projects in engineering programs. These projects can have great impact in team building skills, self-confidence, technological knowledge, and linking theory and practice. The study for this paper involves surveys from team members of those projects in four Kern Entrepreneurial Education Network (KEEN) schools. These surveys aid in identifying the relationship between student senior design projects and the entrepreneurial mindset within the engineering discipline. Based on the results of the survey, student's perceptions were positive in various elements of the entrepreneurial mindset; however, as the projects relate to entrepreneurship (as opposed to the entrepreneurial mindset), results were not as positive. Some explanation and recommendations are given based on the results.