Mechanical Design Competition as a Strategy for Skill Development in Engineering: Integrating Artificial Intelligence and the SDGs and Its Educational Impact

Engineering education continues to grapple with the shift from lecture-centered instruction to approaches that connect theory with practice and strengthen transferable competencies. This study examines an educational intervention in the Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering at Miguel Hernández University of Elche. Our objective was to evaluate the impact of a challenge-based learning (CBL) strategy, supported by optional artificial intelligence (AI) tools and aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The intervention took the form of a design challenge in which 48 students, working in teams, developed a mechanical artifact using laboratory resources, prepared a technical report, and justified design, material, and process decisions. Data were collected through student surveys to assess perceptions of skill development, AI use, and SDG awareness. Findings indicate improved understanding of manufacturing processes, more critical and selective use of AI, stronger sustainability awareness, and gains in transferable competencies such as creativity, decision-making, and technical communication. These results suggest that integrating CBL with emerging technologies can enhance learning outcomes and motivation in technical degree programs, while offering a practical model that other engineering courses can adapt.