Enhancing Engineering Education through Undergraduate Research Experiences: A Case Study on Waste Plastic in Sustainable Infrastructure

Engineering education stands as a pivotal driver of technological progress, and evolving demands necessitate innovative methods to cultivate the next generation of engineers.Integrating active research engagement into undergraduate curricula presents a bridge between theoretical learning and practical application, fostering comprehensive understanding.By merging hands-on projects, interdisciplinary collaboration, and real-world problem-solving, undergraduate research experiences (UREs) can rejuvenate engineering education.Undergraduate research experiences in engineering can merge emerging technologies, interactive platforms, and industry affiliations to provide students with an invaluable learning experience.Concurrently, the escalating concern for environmental responsibility, notably among students, has sparked an interest in pioneering solutions like repurposing waste materials for sustainable infrastructure development.This shift towards eco-friendly alternatives not only aligns with ethical values but also offers a tangible avenue for students to affect positive change.Within this landscape, the incorporation of waste plastic into hot mix asphalt (HMA) emerges as an intriguing pathway for enhancing pavement properties, yet it presents unresolved questions regarding optimal compositions, long-term performance, and environmental implications.This paper presents a case study of an undergraduate research experience aiming to demonstrate how early research engagement opportunities can enhance students' engineering education and shift their career trajectories.Furthermore, it is shown here how sustainable engineering research plays a vital role in attracting undergraduate students to research, transforming students' identities, and contributing to students' development of research and interpersonal skill.It is concluded that UREs create a unique opportunity to integrate undergraduate students into research, enabling interdisciplinary exploration that bridges knowledge gaps while fostering critical thinking, adaptability, and a holistic understanding of sustainable engineering practices.Thus, through such targeted educational experiences, educators can inspire a new generation of engineers capable of initiating large strides in sustainable infrastructure development.