Scaffold

Problem-based learning

Mathematics education

Bachelor

Engineering

Coursework

Biomedical engineering

Systems engineering

Archaeology

Pedagogy

Economics

Engineering education

Computer science

Mechanical engineering

Psychology

Management

Project-based learning

Work (physics)

Sociology

Project management

Medicine

Medical education

Engineering management

Teamwork

Engineering ethics

Science education

History

European Journal of Engineering Education

Can you ask students from three different bachelor programmes to help solve planning and routeing problems for hospitals? In the presented case an interdisciplinary approach was shown to be successful after some redesign. Students from Applied Mathematics, Civil Engineering and Industrial & Engineering Management jointly designed solutions for ‘traffic’ to and through the hospital using stochastic modelling. Importantly this project was scaffolded through coursework, supervision and problem-design. The particular scaffolding strategy employed by the teaching team offers other teacher teams ideas for making interdisciplinary project-based learning a more effective learning opportunity. At the same time we need to ensure that students feel at home in their own programme and will be empowered to work with other specialists.

Scaffolding interdisciplinary project-based learning: a case study