Incorporation of Museum-Based Service Learning into Advanced Engineering Electives in Aerospace Engineering and 3-D Printing

The need for improved communication skills among engineers has been widely recognized. The current work proposes a model for teaching engineers to communicate technical material to non-technical audiences: museum-based service learning. In this model, engineering students simultaneously master technical material and prepare outreach material for the general public. This model was implemented in a series of engineering elective courses where students prepared materials describing the engineering involved in the development of the Juno space probe. The approach fits within identified ABET educational outcomes, and produces a scientifically accurate display.