The impact of transdisciplinarity on solving complex engineering problems in an ethnically diverse classroom

This paper studies a transdisciplinary (TD) research approach to undergraduate engineering education to examine alternative learning and consequently, to improve STEM learning outcomes. A paradigm shift in engineering education is required in response to job market uncertainties to mitigate unemployment and prepare students to tackle problems requiring TD knowledge, methods, tools, skills, and expertise from different disciplines and forming novel frameworks to catalyze scientific discoveries and innovations. The expected results of TD research and education are an emphasis on teamwork; collaboration; bringing together diverse science and engineering disciplines; developing and sharing concepts, methodologies, and tools; to solve complex scientific and engineering problems. The objective of this study is twofold, first to assess the impact of the TD pedagogical approach on the learning outcomes of the ethnic minority students, second to implement and practice Collective Intelligence Management Workshop (CIMW) supported by Transdisciplinary Design Studio (TD²S) for Collaborative Research and Education (CORE).