Inquiry-based learning in civil engineering laboratory classes

Laboratory classes are a fundamental part of university-level education for civil engineers, reinforcing engineering theory through practical experience. However, due to the need for universities to become ever more efficient, resources for laboratory staff and space are becoming smaller with the result that laboratory classes are often demonstrations to large groups with little or no opportunity for students to develop and explore their own lines of inquiry. This paper reports on an initiative to address this deficiency by developing inquiry-based laboratory classes for second-year undergraduates. initial results are encouraging, with unanimously positive feedback from students and an observable improvement in module grades.