Benefits of Student Engagement in an Engineering Fair for their Professional Development

Studying engineering requires passion and commitment, among other qualities, which motivate students to exercise their knowledge in practical activities and desire more learning. Engineering theory prepares students to face the challenges of industrial life. In this article, we explore the results of engineering students’ participation in a project exhibition, assessed by evaluators from industry and our university, i.e., professors and industrial partners. The internal and external evaluators assessed a competition and chose a winner. Evaluations and competitions are motivating elements for students. Creating an event with these characteristics allows students to become aware of local or global external realities, and they can contribute to the world with projects that try to satisfy the promulgations of at least one Sustainable Development Goal (SDG). The University offers 23 different engineering programs, a large variety that provides many opportunities to contribute to the outside world. The event consists of four different categories for project registration depending on its offered solution. The four categories are Physical Prototype, Software Prototype, Research and Development of Continuous Improvement Proposals, and Products or Services for Technological-based Entrepreneurship. This article analyzes 1) student awareness of sustainable development, 2) the learning experience, and 3) students’ motivation to participate in the exhibition. [1]