Integrating Research to the Undergraduate Geotechnical Engineering Classroom

An investigation was conducted to actively incorporate research activities into an introductory geotechnical engineering laboratory course. Students developed research programs of varying levels of sophistication as part of the laboratory course. Hands-on testing was emphasized and students were required to develop their own testing programs for demonstration of soil mechanics principles. Field experiments were encouraged and undertaken by some of the students. Laboratory experimental investigations and summaries of geotechnical construction methods were also undertaken by some of the students. The presentations of the research activities, test programs, and experimental results were completed in various formats including oral presentations to the class, poster presentations, and production of films. Separate activities have been conducted to incorporate research presentations by undergraduate and graduate research assistants to a geotechnical engineering laboratory course and included tours of advanced laboratories and field test sites as part of the course. These combined learning exercises are part of a broad investigation related to incorporation of unconventional learning styles to a geotechnical engineering laboratory course. Students have generally enjoyed the experiences and specific pedagogical benefits have been realized. An overview of the teaching methodology and assessment of student performance is described in the paper.