Die lernfabrik-research-based learning for sustainable production engineering

Engineering Education directed at topics like sustainable production or life cycle engineering needs adequate teaching approaches. Methods like research-oriented teaching, project-based learning or game-based learning are suitable techniques to promote a deeper understanding and develop competencies in respect to complex dynamic systems. However, providing appropriate teaching environments which allow for self dependent learning and practical experiences while making state of the art research insights available is quite challenging. Die Lernfabrik has been developed to suit these exact issues by providing a didactic framework for sustainable production engineering education in a real factory environment. This paper introduces a new didactic concept to combine the benefits of research-based learning approaches in engineering curriculum with the physical infrastructure of Die Lernfabrik. While gaining theoretical background in a related lecture, students utilize machinery and installations of the learning factory independently for experiments to solve their self-chosen research questions. Application and validation of the concept are exemplified by the TU Braunschweig course Energy Efficiency in Production Engineering, focusing on energy efficiency solutions for production systems. It could be proved that the individual learning motivation and success of the students as well as their competency to solve real engineering problems was significantly improved by the new approach.