New Teaching Methods in Sports Engineering; How to Speed-up Learning While Having Fun!

The introduction of a multidisciplinary Minor programme in Sports Innovation at Delft University of Technology in 2011 provided the teaching staff with a unique challenge; not only how to get students with different backgrounds to cooperate in efficient multidisciplinary teams, but also how to do this effectively and cost efficient. The answer to this question proved to be the “Pressure cooker kick-off”; a four day program that allowed students to integrate theory on innovation methodology with practical experience, perceived by students as ‘play’. The program focuses on a series of short integrated exercises that challenge students to leave their personal ‘comfort zones’. Student ratings of this kick-off are high and provided the minor sports innovation with a unique selling point over other minor programs. The results of this teamwork are reflected in a high yearly return rate of companies providing the minor sports innovation with assignments and the production of papers accepted by international conferences.