Designing a Biomedical Engineering Course to Develop Entrepreneurial Mindset in Students

Abstract

Entrepreneurial minded learning (EML) is a pedagogical technique that gives students the tools to identify opportunities, focus on impact, and to create value through their solutions. The entrepreneurial mindset builds upon three key elements: curiosity, connections, and creating value (3 Cs). A biomedical engineering course was developed using EML. EML was infused into every class session through learning objectives, content, reading, and activities. The course culminated in a project in which students used EML to define a problem in bioengineering and propose solutions that incorporated polymers. Activities gave the students the opportunity to experience EML, teamwork, and entrepreneurship, and to work through the stages of their project. Assessments incorporated at least one question tied to EML. Questions on two direct assessments were scored by a set of established EML objectives and associated rubrics. Students participated in anonymous pre- and post-surveys to assess understanding and acquisition of EML skills. There have been two offerings with participation from undergraduate and graduate students. Over two offerings, 38% of students had invention disclosures related to their projects. Survey results indicated significant increases across many areas of EML, with the largest increases related to defining EML and the 3 Cs; identifying opportunity; identifying social, economic, and environmental value; and considering intellectual property. Survey results were corroborated by students demonstrating emerging or accomplished scores on several EML objectives on final exams and final project submissions. By the end of the course, most students appreciated learning the entrepreneurial mindset and saw opportunities to apply these techniques to both their research projects and future careers. EML promoted innovative and creative thinking, problem solving, assessment of user needs, and teamwork. This work demonstrates approaches and examples of assessments and activities that can be used to incorporate entrepreneurial skills into a course.