SPORT (Student assessment PORTfolio) AI Integrating Activities for Teaching Thermodynamics at the Undergraduate Level

Abstract We describe a set of teaching activities designed for first-year students in a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Sciences and Technologies, aimed at fostering active and engaging preparation for the final thermodynamics exam. The teaching plan is centered on the creation of individual assessment portfolios developed over 5 weeks (32 h) of lectures, supporting students in following the course content with increasing proficiency. The use of AI tools is explicitly encouraged, and students have the chance to experience their advantages and limitations. A qualitative interpretation of the results obtained from a case study involving 65 students indicates strong engagement and overall satisfaction, as well as encouraging improvements in examination performance, supporting the importance of formative assessment in university courses.