Michigan Technological University's Pavement Enterprise

In the fall semester of 2000 a project-based student Enterprise program was established at Michigan Technological University (Michigan Tech). This is a project-based approach to learning where significant team projects and business elements are incorporated into the traditional engineering curriculum. In the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department the Pavement Design, Construction, and Materials (Pavement) Enterprise offers scholarships to students that participate in the Thompson Scholars program. This is an asphalt paving industry-sponsored program that addresses the needs of the industry in terms of attracting and educating future engineers. While skilled individuals are needed in all areas of construction, the asphalt paving industry not only needs people with traditional construction skills but also significant knowledge about material properties, construction operations, testing procedures, life-cycle cost analysis, risk analysis, leadership and teamwork. This is particularly true as this industry moves towards design-build and warranty contracts, which shift more responsibility onto contractors. This paper will discuss: the creation of the Pavement Enterprise; the benefits to the students and industry; the interaction of industry professionals in the Enterprise; a discussion on the Enterprise curriculum; the construction aspects of the program; and the internships in an asphalt related job. The program tries to develop a contextual method of learning by integrating class material with real asphalt paving related projects.