Developing global STEM graduates through interdisciplinary project-based learning (PBL) and design thinking

To enable us to address future environmental challenges, HEIs should be ensuring we develop globally-aware STEM graduates, with the skills and understanding needed to be future change agents. This presentation details our approach to integrating key knowledge and skills related to this broad requirement into Engineering curricula at Aston University. Interdisciplinary PBL and design thinking are used as catalysts to develop critical thinking and transferable skills, through an elective module comprising a mix of tutor and peer-led sessions, students are intellectually challenged within a supportive learning environment. Using evaluation data collected from participants, alongside reflections of staff who facilitated this module, the efficacy of the learning opportunity is evaluated.