An Instructor’s Experience with Volunteer Engagement in the Engineering Laboratory

Geoffrey A. Akers

Keywords: Volunteer, Vocation

Abstract:

The Christian Engineering Conference has a rich history of addressing the integration of faith in the classroom [1], including the roles of faculty in teaching and mentoring students, as well as guidelines for practicing engineers mentoring less experienced engineers at work [2]. The value of storytelling and analogy in the classroom has also been addressed [3], [4]. This paper extends these concepts to include the value of retirees and experienced, practicing engineers as storytellers and mentors in the learning environment—specifically as long-term volunteers in the engineering student’s laboratory experience.

For the past four years, two experienced engineers have consistently volunteered in the laboratory portions of the third-year fall and spring electrical engineering courses in the College of the Ozarks. The courses are required of all students in the College’s Bachelor of Science in Engineering program. These engineers consider engineering a life-long vocation, and volunteering in the engineering program allows them to share their experience, wisdom, and humor with the students.

This paper will discuss the ideas of shalom and vocation as primary motivations for volunteering long term, the volunteers’ roles in the lab, their impact on the learning environment, and the program’s approach to retaining and showing appreciation to the volunteers. Thoughts on finding and engaging with potential volunteers will also be addressed.

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Submission Number: 28