Guiding team projects for juniors

Abstract

A semester-long group project course is described. This course teaches design and project management to prepare students for a senior-level design course sequence carried out individually. The rationale for using groups (teams) and a Socratic design approach is discussed. The paper discusses the sequence of topics and activities over the semester including team-building exercises, group in-class exercises, group lab exercises, design review sessions and lectures. The final product evaluation time is discussed. Group dynamics and personality problems as well as final evaluations are also presented. The students' performance relative to others not having taken the course cannot be evaluated at this time since this group of students has not completed the senior design courses. The teachers' assessments are given as well as plans for future changes.