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Let’s Build Something – a Service Learning Approach to Construction Capstone

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Conference

2019 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Location

Tampa, Florida

Publication Date

June 15, 2019

Start Date

June 15, 2019

End Date

June 19, 2019

Conference Session

ConstDiv Technical Session 1 - Capstone & Case Study

Tagged Division

Construction Engineering

Page Count

10

DOI

10.18260/1-2--33063

Permanent URL

https://strategy.asee.org/33063

Download Count

270

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Paper Authors

biography

William P. Manion University of Maine

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Mr. Manion is an Associate Professor in the Construction Engineering Technology Program. His interests include industry collaboration, service learning, construction operations, alternative pathways to engineering degrees and sustainable methods in building construction.

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biography

Philip A. Dunn Jr. P.E. University of Maine

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Philip Dunn is a Professor in the Construction Engineering Technology Program at the University of Maine. He has been with the University for 16 years after having worked 20 years with the Maine Department of Transportation. He is very active in his community serving in several professional, fraternal, and community boards. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in Maine. He is married with 2 children.

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Abstract

Nearly all construction higher education programs have some kind of capstone experience, something that culminates students’ academic work and experiences, and sets the stage for beginning their professional careers. Although service learning is relatively common in education, few examples were specifically noted in a review of ABET ETAC accredited construction programs. This paper begins with a review of relevant literature to service learning in construction education programs, followed by a description of the two-semester educational program and outcomes we expect students to achieve in the capstone process. At the time of publication, four semesters of students have responded to a reflective survey, asking about development of teamwork skills, awareness of the complexity of construction, community service, the construction profession, interpersonal skills, construction operations management, and open-ended qualitative questions. The survey results are presented, with some examples, qualitative responses, and discussion from the authors. By presenting and publishing this paper, the authors hope to learn from similar programs in practice, share our experiences, and perhaps inspire others to try such ventures.

Manion, W. P., & Dunn, P. A. (2019, June), Let’s Build Something – a Service Learning Approach to Construction Capstone Paper presented at 2019 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition , Tampa, Florida. 10.18260/1-2--33063

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