The wicked problem of engaging students in their studies

Abstract

In December 2019, David Beaulieu, a teacher in Engineering Physics Technology, accompanied some students on an expedition to a glacier in Peru to use a classroom-designed weather station as part of a capstone project. The purpose of the expedition was to document the impacts of the melting of glaciers in order to mitigate its consequences. The expedition had unexpected impacts: as students became aware of their role in observing climate change, their teacher noticed they became highly motivated to examine the strengths and weaknesses of their measuring instrument and, as a result, became interested in further education. Whether teaching online or face-to-face, as teachers we are always looking for ways to spark motivation in our students. How do we get them to be motivated to pursue, commit to, and complete their studies? How do we find topics to captivate them? The topics addressed by so-called "wicked problems" and socially acute questions might be a way in.(AQPC)