Implementation of the Italian school-work alternating programme within chemical engineering activities

This paper shows the implementation and the results of the application of the problem-based learning methodology within the framework of the school-work alternating programme (SWAP) in Italian High Schools. This methodology was articulated through five specific projects aimed at different student profiles inside a research group of Chemical Engineering at the University of Genoa (Italy). The proposed activities were aligned with the expected learning outcomes where creativity and originality were highly encouraged in order to promote lateral thinking. All the tasks were carried out in groups to boost team engagement and collaborative learning and used technological tools in specific problem-solving contexts. Students demonstrated positive attitudes towards the used technological tools, the collaborative work and the applied methodology. The great majority of the students showed satisfaction with the ICT tools and considered them as useful for their future career. The results also pointed out that participation and motivation were highly appreciated which was actually the basis of a successful implementation of the methodology. As a result of the exchange, students were able to promote their social and intellectual skills outside their usual comfort zone. At the same time, it constituted a public engagement opportunity for University as well as an important promotion tool towards society. Overall, the activities satisfied the main objectives of SWAP in terms of development of transversal competences and promotion of new technological skills and, more importantly, constituted an informative appreciated link between classroom lessons and, in this case, their immediate future as university students. (C) 2018 Institution of Chemical Engineers. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.