Integrating Service-Learning Initiatives for Social and Local Sustainability in Engineering Educational Contexts

This research endeavors to describe some innovative educational practices with a focus on Sustainable Development Goal 11, which aims to foster more sustainable and resilient cities and communities. The ES NUESTRO program aims to achieve this through educational innovations in Engineering courses and Final Degree Projects (TFG). The main objective is to develop this environmental and social consciousness employing the STEAM methodology, integrating Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics, alongside mediation, mapping, diagnosis, and citizen participation. This study seeks to establish Service-Learning actions at Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (ETSIDI-UPM). Specifically, it employs artistic and intercultural mediation practices in the Lavapiés/Embajadores and Arganzuela Madrid Central District. The goal is to engage the University and local communities in enhancing their urban environment and promoting an educational dialogue through engineering practices. The main result of this research study is to develop a replicable and scalable model to improve the quality of life in similar urban areas and connect the University with its immediate territory through Service-Learning.