BEB801: Project 1

Establishing a growth mindset in engineering students to advance the engineering industry in terms

of innovative designs and construction methods

Arne Ancheta (n8881146)Bachelor of Engineering (Civil and Construction)

Supervisor: Dr. Duzgun Agdas

Queensland University of TechnologyJune 2016

Innovative Designs in Engineering

Background Information: Growth Mindset• What is growth mindset?• What is fixed mindset?

Objectives• To find out if it would be worth introducing growth

mindset to engineers to enhance innovative designs and construction methods.

• How can growth mindset benefit the future of the engineering industry?

• How does it benefit engineering students?• How can it benefit professional engineers?

Common Issues, Opportunities and Constraints• Common Issues:

Engineering classes get smaller and smaller due to drop out rates

Students start to think that engineering is “too hard” A growth mindset may solve this problem

• Opportunities: A growth mindset leads to the opportunity to influence

the future of engineering

• Constraints: Growth mindset is not for everyone Difficult transition from fixed mindset to growth mindset

Growth vs Fixed MindsetFixed Mindset Growth Mindset

Works to prove their intelligence. Works to improve their intelligence.

Enjoys easy success and instant results. Enjoys challenges and looks for new opportunities to

learn and improve.

Avoids difficult challenges which require effort as

failure may make them look ‘dumb’.

Avoids tasks which are easy as they do not give much

opportunity to learn from that experience.

When faced with a challenge, they doubt their

abilities and ignore the task which results in losing

the opportunity to expand their knowledge.

When faced with a challenge, they try harder and explore

alternatives and different methods of approaching the

problem. They will usually show creativity and

determination.

People with a fixed mindset are less likely to think

outside the box when solving problems.

People with a growth mindset are more likely to be

innovative and creative when solving problems.

Benefits of Growth Mindset In Engineering• Increased motivation• Positive view towards challenges• Improved grades• Successful project outcomes• Ability to work hard to develop new ideas / innovate

Improved Grades

(Backwell, Trzesniewski, & Dweck, 2007)

Motivation: Growth Mindset vs Fixed Mindset

(Mindset Works LLC, 2010)

Growth Mindset as an Engineering Student

Learn about growth mindset

Identify learning opportunities

Become a motivated to put

in the effort

Embrace the challenges which

may come

Become a harder working student who is willing to

learn

Increased quality of assignments

Much improved grades

Lower drop out rates

Students graduating and

entering the industry with a growth mindset

Growth Mindset as a Professional Engineer

Learn / revisit the theories of growth mindset

Identify the learning

opportunities

Become motivated to

work hard

Embrace the challenges which

may come

Develop knowledge to be able to innovate to solve these

challenges

Bring new ideas and innovations to the industry

Increase potential to

become a leader in the industry

Have successful project outcomes

Inspire others to use growth

mindset in order to innovate

Introducing Growth Mindset to Students and Professionals

Risk FailureInnovation

Challenges

Motivation

CommitmentCollaboration

Conclusion

Thank you