Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases remain a significant global health concern and reducing associated mortality is an interdisciplinary problem requiring experts in many fields, predominantly medicine but also engineering. The Heart Hackathon is an international competition where students design build and test a Total Artificial Heart (TAH) with the aim of advancing research and technology in this sector. In this work we investigate whether the Heart Hackathon also enhances engineering higher education through a case study on Team Bath Heart (TBH), winners of the Heart Hackathon in 2023.
While publications on student competition teams (SCTs) in other engineering disciplines, predominantly automotive engineering, outline some benefits, there is limited data on biomedical engineering specific SCTs.
To address this gap, a personalised mixed-methods study was designed, and quantitative and qualitative data was collected using surveys (N=167) and semi-structured interviews (N=30).
Results were divided into 5 themes:
1. Learning benefits of SCTs. Learning practical skills was the main reason students chose to join SCTs, 77%. Other benefits included: time to see projects through to completion, gaining industry specific knowledge, practising innovation, and soft skills including communication and leadership.
2. Belonging. 76% of students in SCTs felt a sense of belonging to their department. Feelings of belonging reduce risk of students leaving engineering.
3. Future prospects: competition teams enable higher retention in engineering post-graduation.
4. Gender diversity. Biomedical engineering teams had 40% women compared with 20% women in Racing Vehicle Teams.
5. Meaning of “competition”. The competition itself was not the primary purpose for most students, but provided the framework for their team project.
In conclusion, biomedical engineering SCTs enhance engineering education by providing opportunities for: experiential learning, innovation and open discussions.
While publications on student competition teams (SCTs) in other engineering disciplines, predominantly automotive engineering, outline some benefits, there is limited data on biomedical engineering specific SCTs.
To address this gap, a personalised mixed-methods study was designed, and quantitative and qualitative data was collected using surveys (N=167) and semi-structured interviews (N=30).
Results were divided into 5 themes:
1. Learning benefits of SCTs. Learning practical skills was the main reason students chose to join SCTs, 77%. Other benefits included: time to see projects through to completion, gaining industry specific knowledge, practising innovation, and soft skills including communication and leadership.
2. Belonging. 76% of students in SCTs felt a sense of belonging to their department. Feelings of belonging reduce risk of students leaving engineering.
3. Future prospects: competition teams enable higher retention in engineering post-graduation.
4. Gender diversity. Biomedical engineering teams had 40% women compared with 20% women in Racing Vehicle Teams.
5. Meaning of “competition”. The competition itself was not the primary purpose for most students, but provided the framework for their team project.
In conclusion, biomedical engineering SCTs enhance engineering education by providing opportunities for: experiential learning, innovation and open discussions.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Publication status | Published - 13 Nov 2024 |
| Event | 30th Congress of the International Society for Mechanical Circulatory Support (ISMCS) - Light Cube, Utsunomiya, Japan Duration: 13 Nov 2024 → 15 Nov 2024 https://kinki-convention.jp/ismcs30/ |
Conference
| Conference | 30th Congress of the International Society for Mechanical Circulatory Support (ISMCS) |
|---|---|
| Country/Territory | Japan |
| City | Utsunomiya |
| Period | 13/11/24 → 15/11/24 |
| Internet address |
