PEE24 Showcases Innovation in Hands-On Engineering Education
The 2024 Practical Engineering Education Conference, organised by Multidisciplinary Engineering Education, brought together a diverse mix of educators, industry leaders, and students to advance the role of practical teaching within engineering curricula. Over two days, attendees explored how hands-on learning can be better integrated into engineering programmes, with a focus on both technical delivery and educational outcomes.
Two keynote addresses set the tone for the event. Professor Claire Lucas, Professor of Engineering Teaching and Learning at King’s College London, challenged entrenched academic models by emphasising the importance of experiential learning. Her call to reimagine engineering education resonated strongly with participants seeking to align teaching with real-world application. Professor Andrew Garrard, Head of Multidisciplinary Engineering Education, examined the motivations behind innovations in practical education. He noted that many in the room identified first as engineers and second as educators, which often leads to a focus on the mechanics of teaching delivery—such as remote laboratories—rather than the intended learning outcomes. His question, “As engineering educators, how do we balance the education of engineering with the engineering of education?” underscored a central challenge for the field.
The programme was deliberately interactive, combining workshops, panel discussions, debates, and live demonstrations. Topics ranged from integrating practical skills into coursework to effective assessment and feedback, inclusivity and accessibility in lab-based learning, and the digitalisation of practical activities. The hands-on sessions provided tangible examples of innovative teaching methods, appealing to participants who value applied knowledge. Professor Garrard remarked, “The Practical Engineering Education Conference is the only forum for engineering educators focused on lab-based learning to come together and exchange ideas. During the two days of the event, there was a delightful buzz of enthusiasm and innovation with thought-provoking presentations and entertaining workshops and demonstrations.”
Networking was a prominent feature, with delegates from across the UK and Ireland exchanging ideas and forging partnerships. Many attendees cited these interactions as among the most valuable aspects of the conference, noting the quality of conversations and the opportunity to learn from peers implementing novel approaches in their institutions.
Industry support played a significant role in the event’s success. Sponsors including Didactic Services Ltd, Gunt Technology, TecQuipment, Matrix Technology Solutions Ltd, Shimadzu, Quanser, and Armfield provided demonstrations and engaged directly with participants. Their contributions showcased equipment and tools that could be integrated into teaching environments, bridging the gap between academic theory and industrial practice.
Feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive. One delegate stated, “The conference exceeded my expectations. The sessions were incredibly informative, and the networking opportunities were invaluable.” Another highlighted the value of the demonstrations: “The hands-on sessions provided great insights into new teaching methods and tools. I’m excited to implement these in my own courses.” Such responses reinforced the conference’s role as a catalyst for practical innovation in engineering education.
Dr Chalak Omar, who led the PEE24 Conference Planning Committee, emphasised the broader impact: “The PEE24 conference was a huge success! It showed how committed the community is to ensuring engineering students get the hands-on experience they need in the real world. The conference fostered a vibrant community by bringing together educators, industry experts, and students from the UK and Ireland. Attendees shared their best teaching practices to teach practical engineering. They were inspired by innovative approaches presented and had various opportunities to network, building strong connections that will drive future collaboration and progress in hands-on engineering education. The impact of PEE24 will resonate across universities and the industry as the ideas and relationships formed here pave the way for a more practical and engaging engineering learning experience.”
With the next Practical Engineering Education Conference scheduled in two years, PEE24 has set a benchmark for integrating applied skills into engineering education, reinforcing the importance of collaboration between academia and industry in shaping future engineers.
