THE DO'S AND DON'TS OF STUDENT PROJECT COLLABORATION BETWEEN COLLEGES: A HINDSIGHT VIEW FROM TWO COMMUNITY COLLEGES

摘要

The human powered submarine project began for both schools in October of 2004, with the race deadline of June 26, 2005. Seven Everett Community College students and four Edmonds Community College students decided to take part in the challenge of building a human powered submarine. Together, both groups of students needed to obtain SCUBA training, create and install the safety systems, integrate all of the components, test, and repair the submarine. The team completed a functioning wet submarine in 9 months and competed in the International Submarine Races (ISR). This paper outlines the teaming successes and pitfalls of the project. The International Submarine Races (ISR) involves human powered submarines that are designed and built by various students, including large universities, community colleges, private companies, and individuals. It provides an opportunity for students to take what they have learned in the classroom and apply it to a real-world situation such as the design and manufacture of a product as well as how to work in a team. As the two schools began to collaborate, many unexpected triumphs and frustrations began to come to the surface. Items such as communication, timelines and competing schedules, workload, and distance proved to be the most challenging items, while the ISR competition, organization, teamwork, hands-on learning, and overall experience gave the team reasons to celebrate the project. The joint effort between Edmonds and Everett Community Colleges provided both schools with valuable lessons about how to collaborate. Open communication is the most important aspect in any teaming situation and it is important for both sides to commit to ensuring it exists.