Erik Justen
Papers
1
Total Citations
24
H-Index
1
About
Erik Justen is an engineering educator whose work centers on transforming the first-year experience through hands-on, project-based learning. His most cited work, "Experiences With A Comprehensive Freshman Hands On Course Designing, Building, And Testing Small Autonomous Robots" (2020, 24 citations), documents a decade-long initiative at The Ohio State University's College of Engineering to improve student retention. Justen's major contribution lies in demonstrating how a comprehensive, robot-centric curriculum can engage incoming students from day one, moving beyond traditional lecture formats to foster practical design, fabrication, and testing skills. This approach not only boosts retention but also builds early confidence and technical competence. His research highlights the critical role of experiential learning in engineering education, offering a replicable model for other institutions. By focusing on the pivotal first year, Justen helps shape the foundational experiences that determine whether students persist in engineering, making his work both impactful and actionable for educators seeking to modernize introductory programs.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1