VIRTUAL Prague Research & Teaching Conference

Abstract

Challenges related to student engagement in teaching any STEM course often include the students’ lack of interest and appreciation of various technical concepts, leading to a failure to apply the knowledge. In Architectural Education, students frequently struggle to apply the concepts of Environmental Control Systems in design projects. Understanding these systems in building design is crucial given the significant amount (40%) of the energy consumed by building stocks in the US, which directly contributes to the global climate change crisis. A traditional passive approach to teaching such systems creates a gap between students’ knowledge and its real-life applications. This paper presents a pedagogical approach using an immersive learning project involving community partners and facility management professionals. The project is a scientific study of environmental control systems and the building performance of a real building undergoing renovation. This pedagogical approach aims to (1) demonstrate a method that bridges the gap between research and design for STEM courses, and (2) prepare students for industry practice by allowing them to interact, collaborate, and self-reflect on the acquired knowledge.