Interdisciplinary Manufacturing Innovation: Adapting and Implementing the Learning Factory

University Of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia MO

Investigators

Abstract

Engineering - Other (59) This project adapts and builds on the work of the successful "Learning Factory" developed as a collaboration among Penn State University, the University of Washington, and the University of Puerto Rico Mayaguez to close the competency gap among those students who are hired as manufacturing engineers and managers. This adaptation scheme is based on five major tasks: 1) adaptation and implementation of a more practice-balanced/hands-on manufacturing engineering curriculum through development of two joint interdisciplinary engineering-business courses, Enterprise Conception and Enterprise Design; 2) enhancement of the Entrepreneurship-Manufacturing Innovation Laboratory Experience (E-MILE) for practice-based learning and innovation; 3) outreach to the academic, manufacturing, and pre-college communities; 4) collaboration with industry partners; and 5) project assessment to evaluate the progress of activities and impact on the learning process and to identify opportunities for continuous improvement. Building upon the Learning Factory model, this initiative is providing a new course of action in how to stimulate creativity and innovation in talented young professionals.