Preparing for the solar challenge: Critical competences acquired in undergraduate engineering education

Taking on the challenge: Evaluating the benefits of participating in solar vehicle racing

“…An engineering curriculum should teach students how to merge physical, life, and information sciences at different levels, embrace professional ethics and social responsibilities, be creative and innovative, and communicate effectively [5]. Engineers must be broadly educated, not simply to solve problems others have set for them, but to identify problems and issues and to provide the technological leadership needed to benefit society [13].…”

“…A cooperative learning strategy in the form of the UJ Solar Project [3] was incorporated in the final year design and research capstone courses to enhance student motivation and retention. Reported advantages associated with participating in the UJ Solar Project using cooperative learning strategies, as opposed to traditional teaching methodologies, include students taking a more active role in and greater responsibility for their own learning and displaying a greater sense of shared commitment [5].…”