Converting traditional engineering physics laboratories into self-designed student explorations

This work in progress describes the initiative at University of Tennessee to redesign traditional first year engineering laboratories into self-designed learning experiences for several topics throughout the semester. In the traditional laboratories students followed an explicit set of procedures to solve an engineering problem. In the redesigned lab, teams of students are presented with a design challenge related to that week's lecture curriculum, supplied with applicable equipment and technology, and advised to self-design their own experiments and investigations. Learning objectives and background information are provided and students have instructor support for guidance and direction during their experimentation and analysis. The redesigned laboratories endeavor to build skills that address the modern needs of the engineering industry, self-designed learning and innovation, and aim to increase student comprehension and interest.