Role of Collaboration In Enhancing Creativity and Innovation In Engineering Education: Examples From Fluid Mechanics and Biotransport Courses

Global problems in engineering education include the method of teaching and the learning strategies that are developed and applied in engineering curricula. Efforts have been made on innovation and creativity in Science and Engineering Education for effective practical and successful experiences and outcomes. There are several methods assessing creativity and innovation in engineering students that integrate different techniques in the curriculum with the provision of a safe environment for experimentation, learning, and student enrichment in these critical topics;  however, several aspects need additional attention including for example, implementation protocols, strategies for designing efficient environments, etc. Furthermore, the impacts of creativity and innovation in Engineering Education are important in identifying and assessing modifications to the engineering classroom experience. One very important and somewhat forgotten aspect is the role of collaboration in promoting creativity and innovation in Engineering Education. The preliminary studies will be presented based on the examples gathered in two courses in Chemical Engineering, i.e. a junior level Fluid Dynamics course and a senior level Biotransport course. The finding will be related to the Linear Engineering Sequence (L.E.S.) of the High Performance Learning Environment (Hi- PeLE) that is being used in several courses in Chemical Engineering at Tennessee Technological University, Cookeville, TN USA.