"Innovative and green methods in Electrical and Electronics Engineering education: Recyclostructivistic instruction"

The focus of this thesis is in the common area of the fields of (a) Recycling of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) and (b) Education and specifically technological, hand-on laboratory Education. The research plan proceeds to the design, development, implementation and evaluation of an education model that is based on the ‘chain’ of dismantling, reclaiming and reuse of WEEE in the lab. The goal is to achieve a number of learning outcomes through active learning. Multiple benefits are expected through the proposed educational method, both for the learners and for the environment and economy in general. At a first level, benefits come from the savings in raw materials and the reduction of the energy footprint of the production of new components and devices, thanks to the reuse of reclaimed material and components. At a second level, enhanced learning outcomes are expected for the students who (a) are trained to follow an “analysis-synthesis” path and thus (b) gain a better understanding of the structure and functionalities of complex equipment, while (c) they develop their collaborative, innovative and creative thinking skills in composing new items and equipment from reclaimed parts.