The “Eagle” Approach To Train Electrical Engineers With Collaborative Problem-Solving Skills

Engineering education plays a critical role in addressing the ever-increasing environmental and societal challenges, and collaborative problem solving (CPS) is a vital skill for engineers to tackle such complex multidisciplinary challenges and develop high-quality solutions. The EAGLE project at KU Leuven exemplifies CPS implementation in electrical engineering education, providing students with real-world connections and deep learning opportunities to develop teamwork, problem-solving, and negotiation skills. This paper presents the development and implementation of EAGLE, a year-long hands-on, multidisciplinary challenge in which teams of 10-12 students design and develop an autonomous drone capable of flying to a remote landing station. It focuses on the project organization, innovative coach-based teaching and grading system, and the multi-dimensional evaluation and grading processes employed. The insights gained from the EAGLE project can offer valuable lessons for future project-based learning initiatives and encourage the adoption of innovative teaching and learning approaches in engineering education. By sharing our experiences, we aim to inspire other educators to integrate real-world projects into their curricula, emphasizing the significance of hands-on learning, teamwork, and CPS in engineering education.