Activity led learning within aerospace at Coventry University

It is widely thought that, due to the nature of the subject, engineering education should be vocationally orientated. This paper explores the application of activity led learning that already exists in the Aerospace Systems degree at Coventry University. It was developed to be an educational experience that provides industry with graduates that are prepared for the workplace. The main assessment in the final year takes the form of a group exercise. The staff present themselves as a company requiring a complete design solution to a problem e.g., a new landing gear for a fighter aircraft and its related systems. The students are provided with a basic specification and draw on the knowledge they have acquired over the previous years to begin the exercise. They have to appreciate what it is they still do not know and interact with the academic staff as their 'customer' to fully solve the problem and provide a feasible solution. This not only expands their engineering knowledge but also encourages the development of interpersonal skills, communication skills and a more professional approach. How effective this style of teaching has been in improve the employability of the graduates is shown in our student exit statistics, feedback received from employers and the feedback from the students themselves. Developments into other modules and activities throughout the aerospace courses have included airport management exercises, glider design and build and participation in the first national Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAV) competition.