ABSTRACT
The function of the engineering profession is to manipulate
materials, energy, and information, thereby creating benefit for
humankind. To do this successfully, engineers must have a
knowledge of nature that goes beyond mere theory—knowledge
that is traditionally gained in educational laboratories. Over the
years, however, the nature of these laboratories has changed. This
paper describes the history of some of these changes and explores
in some depth a few of the major factors influencing laboratories
today. In particular, the paper considers the lack of coherent
learning objectives for laboratories and how this lack has limited
the effectiveness of laboratories and hampered meaningful
research in the area. A list of fundamental objectives is presented
along with suggestions for possible future research.
Keywords: laboratories, learning objectives, history of laboratories