Reflecting on the Success of the Practical Engineering Education (PEE) Conference 2024

Organised by Multidisciplinary Engineering Education (MEE), this year's conference brought together educators, industry leaders, and students to explore and advance practical teaching within engineering curriculums.

Engaging Keynotes and Dynamic Discussions

PEE24 featured keynote addresses from two distinguished speakers. Professor Claire Lucas, Professor of Engineering Teaching and Learning at King’s College London, who challenged traditional learning models by emphasising practical and experiential learning approaches. Her insights into reimagining engineering education were both thought-provoking and inspiring.

And Professor Andrew Garrard, Head of Multidisciplinary Engineering Education, who provoked an interrogation of the motivations behind our innovations in practical education. Most delegates in the room identified first as engineers and second as educators, feeling more comfortable with the engineering of systems than the social science of education. When reviewing the state of the art in practical engineering education, a trend can be seen in the focus on the mechanics of how teaching is delivered, such as using remote labs, rather than the intended learning outcomes from the activities. As engineering educators, how do we balance the education of engineering with the engineering of education?

Interactive Programme and Networking Opportunities

The conference offered a dynamic programme that included interactive sessions, workshops, demos, panel discussions and debate session. Attendees delved into key themes such as integrating practical skills in engineering education, assessing and providing feedback on practical work, inclusivity and accessibility, and the digitalization of practical activities. The hands-on approach and practical demonstrations enriched the learning experience for all participants.

“The Practical Engineering Education Conference is the only forum for engineering educators focused on lab-based learning to come together and exchange ideas. During the two days of the event, there was a delightful buzz of enthusiasm and innovation with thought-provoking presentations and entertaining workshops and demonstrations.” Professor Andrew Garrard

PEE24 also provided ample opportunities for networking and collaboration. Delegates from various educational institutions engaged in meaningful exchanges of ideas, forging new partnerships and enriching their teaching practices. The positive feedback from attendees underscored the value of these networking sessions, with many highlighting the quality of interactions and the sharing of innovative ideas.

Support from our Sponsors

PEE24 was proudly supported by Didactic Services Ltd, Gunt Technology, TecQuipment, Matrix Technology Solutions Ltd, Shimadzu, Quanser and Armfield. These sponsors played a crucial role in enhancing the conference experience, offering practical demonstrations and engaging with delegates throughout the event. 

Positive Feedback and Looking Ahead

The feedback from PEE24 participants was overwhelmingly positive. Attendees praised the quality of the presentations, the relevance of the topics discussed, and the overall organisation of the event. One delegate commented, "The conference exceeded my expectations. The sessions were incredibly informative, and the networking opportunities were invaluable." Another attendee highlighted the practical demonstrations, stating, "The hands-on sessions provided great insights into new teaching methods and tools. I'm excited to implement these in my own courses."

With such encouraging feedback, we are already looking forward to the next Practical Engineering Education Conference in two year’s time. PEE24 has set a high standard, and we are committed to continuing to provide a platform for sharing innovative ideas and advancing practical engineering education.

Dr Chalak Omar, who led the PEE24 Conference Planning Committee said, “The PEE24 conference was a huge success! It showed how committed the community is to ensuring engineering students get the hands-on experience they need in the real world. The conference fostered a vibrant community by bringing together educators, industry experts, and students from the UK and Ireland. Attendees shared their best teaching practices to teach practical engineering. They were inspired by innovative approaches presented and had various opportunities to network, building strong connections that will drive future collaboration and progress in hands-on engineering education. The impact of PEE24 will resonate across universities and the industry as the ideas and relationships formed here pave the way for a more practical and engaging engineering learning experience”

Stay tuned for announcements about future events, and we hope to see you again in future years for another inspiring and enriching conference.  For more information, please visit our website or contact us at pee@sheffield.ac.uk.