Integrating Theory and Practice: Enhancing Competence Development Through Experiential Education and Project-Based Learning in Learning Factories

The rapid evolution of technology requires parallel developments in engineering education to prepare graduates for new industrial challenges. University-based learning factories are acknowledged for their effectiveness in promoting the development of competence by simulating real-world factory operations and offering engineering students hands-on experiences that integrate theoretical knowledge with practical application. This study aimed to analyze the effects of learning factories and experiential learning, applied via a project-based pedagogical approach, on the learning outcomes and competence development of master's students in industrial and mechanical engineering programs. The study was conducted in the Engineering Learning Factory (ELF) laboratory of the Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, utilizing a structured Project-Based Learning (PBL) framework based on experiential education principles. The project centered on the conceptualization, design, development, manufacturing, and testing of the Scorlion4415, a novel 3D-printed drone tailored to meet the specific needs of mountain rescue operations. The study's findings demonstrated that the integration of project-based methodologies in a learning factory context, along with experience-driven learning processes, improved students' academic achievements, technical, and transversal competences.