Implementing an entrepreneurial mindset through activities in recycling course

There is an urgent need to connect theoretical knowledge acquired in engineering courses with practical, real-world applications to promote knowledge sustainability. To address this need, an entrepreneurially minded learning (EML) approach was implemented in an elective course titled Recycling of Advanced Engineering Materials. This approach enables students to explore the phases and interactions involved in product development by formulating and communicating requirements and solutions that consider both societal benefits and economic constraints, reflecting the entrepreneurial mindset behaviors outlined by the Kern Entrepreneurial Engineering Network (KEEN). The EML activities included hands-on recycling experiences and visits to local recycling companies, emphasizing motivation and overcoming conceptual learning barriers while enhancing students' entrepreneurial knowledge and reasoning skills. This study analyzed students' performance in exams, class discussions, and term projects alongside their perceptions of the engagement activities. Survey questions were designed to assess the impact of these activities on the development of students' entrepreneurial knowledge and abilities, utilizing a Likert scale for responses. Results from survey questions indicated that the EML approach significantly enhanced students' entrepreneurial knowledge and reasoning abilities, motivating them to engage in critical thinking and self-directed learning to address real-world challenges.