Combining gamification and augmented reality to enhance student engagement in aerospace engineering

In this project, we propose to develop an interactive mobile application that combines gamification and augmented reality (AR) to enhance student engagement in aerospace engineering. The app will feature a library of learning modules created in an AR format, which students will be able to collect by walking around campus, reminiscent of the popular game Pokémon Go. Each learning module will focus on one or two engineering concepts from the undergraduate aerodynamics course MECH‐3640, by challenging students to engage in critical thinking while interacting with the AR content. To incentivize the students to use the app, gamification methods will be adopted, such as leaderboard systems for unlocking and completing tasks within the learning modules that directly lead to graded points. The effectiveness of the project will be evaluated by comparing student responses to questionnaire surveys and focus interviews before and after implementing the app into the classroom.