EPS@ISEP: mapping sustainability

Abstract

The European Project Semester (EPS) is a project-based learning framework designed to prepare engineering undergraduates for future professional challenges. During one semester, multicultural multidisciplinary teams design, develop and test solutions to real problems affecting the planet, society or individuals, considering technical, sustainability, ethical, and market requirements. The implemented learning process gives teams the autonomy to make design decisions, as long as they are based on clear sustainability and ethical criteria. The aim is for students to develop skills not only in critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, innovation, effective communication, collaboration, and teamwork, but above all, the ability to make decisions based on ethical and sustainability principles. This study aims to demon- strate that EPS@ISEP effectively contributes to the development of sustainability-oriented engineers. To this end, it compiles evidence found at the institutional level, represented by programme documentation, and the student level, represented by team deliverables. The method involves semi-automatic mapping of sustainability keywords compiled from the doc- uments, as well as by other researchers. The results show that both the institution and the participants are aligned and committed to the design of sustainability-driven solutions.