A Project-Based Learning Approach for the Development of Learning Factory in the Engineering Curriculum

In the current situation of intense global competition and rapid adaptation to new technological, economic and social challenges, junior engineers must be able to contribute to solving business problems in a relatively short period of time, and exhibit high capacities for continuous learning and adaptation in professional contexts. The Learning Factory is a promising approach to competence development. The Dual Learning Factory approach in the Process and Product Innovation Engineering curriculum of the IMH presented here allows for a systematic and learning-oriented design of engineering competencies by integrating conceptual knowledge and engineering skills in the context of a company. This article focuses on the classroom training part and the teaching-learning method modifications that have been made to develop engineering competencies in the students. Based on a project-based teaching approach, several STEM projects integrated into classroom teaching were designed and developed. The results are encouraging, although they show that there is a need for students to have opportunities to use scientific and technical skills over a long period of time.