104 The Engineering and Physics Department at Harding used a hands-on learning environment that taught their students the skills they needed to be involved in the community. Engineering classes were assigned different local businesses in Searcy to help with anything they needed. The focus was on human-centered design, which provided solutions for people based on their problems. The department had done this in the past, but was set back due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The classes that participated in this project were mostly filled with freshmen, including Amelia Slater. “It’s really interesting because normally when you think about engineering you think about thermodynamics and calculus,” Slater said. “This class lets you see the loving side of engineering where we’re trying to help people out.’” Some of the businesses in town that participated included Make Do, Center on the Square and Habitat for Humanity. These students learned how to apply their newfound skills in real-world situations. One of the students was freshman Bayli Nash. “When you’re in college, it’s easy to think about the information I’m learning that I’ll apply years down the road in the future,” Nash said. “Here’s something I can actually learn to change something around me and use that knowledge right now.” This project was not only an opportunity to use their skills and help the community, but also a chance for the students to get to know each other and work together as a team. Freshman Abigail Salisbury was one of the students working with the Searcy community. Building Relationships Engineering students work together to build community. “It’s Intro to Engineering,” Salisbury said. “We’re a bunch of freshmen. We don’t know people, so it’s a really cool way to connect with people that will be in my classes in the future and start building those relationships early.” This project tasked the students in figuring out problems given by their specified local businesses. This assignment ended up being a focus for their final grades. Through the students’ work ethic, they made new connections within their classes and the community. Written by: Mattie Powers
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