Integration of Design Thinking and Challenge-Based Learning for Teaching Design of Experiments to Engineering Students with a Non-Governmental Organization Partnership

This study investigates the integration of Design Thinking (DT) and Challenge-Based Learning (CBL) into the teaching of Design of Experiments (DOE) for engineering students, facilitated by collaboration with a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO). Over a five-week course, students engaged in empathizing with users, defining design problems, ideating solutions, designing experiments, and developing rapid prototypes. The final prototypes were statistically validated, highlighting the feasibility and benefits of this integrated approach. Results demonstrated that students who participated in the DOE+DT approach achieved higher grades and expressed greater satisfaction compared to those in traditional DOE courses. Additionally, this method fostered the development of social awareness and sustainability competencies among students, as they designed solutions that directly addressed real-world challenges. The findings suggest that the integration of DT and CBL into engineering education not only enhances academic performance but also prepares students to tackle complex, real-world problems effectively.