Passion in Action (POLIMI)
Standardization for Engineers/ Bachelor and Master level students
The pilot combined lecture-based learning with interactive and experiential activities. Teaching followed a “teaching by questions” approach, encouraging students to actively reflect on key issues before concepts were formally introduced.
Key activities included:
- Interactive lectures introducing standardization concepts and ecosystems
- In-class discussions and guided reflection
- Participation in the IEEE Mars Standardization Game, allowing students to experience
standard-setting dynamics
- A final multiple-choice question exam assessing knowledge and understanding
Teaching materials were primarily based on the ETSI textbook on standardization. These materials were adapted and condensed to fit a 12-hour teaching format and redesigned to support the teaching-by-questions methodology, ensuring clarity, engagement, and relevance for engineering students.
Pilot Overview
Standardization for Engineers is an extracurricular pilot course delivered at Politecnico di Milano within the Passion in Action programme. The pilot introduces engineering students to the fundamentals of standardization and its strategic, technological, and societal relevance. It combines lectures, interactive learning, a serious game, and assessment activities to provide a compact yet applied learning experience.
The pilot is designed for Bachelor and Master students and focuses on building foundational competences in standardization while encouraging critical thinking and active participation.
Objectives
The main objectives of the pilot are to:
- Introduce students to the concept of standardization and its role in engineering, innovation, and industry
- Familiarize participants with key standardization organizations and processes (e.g., CEN, CENELEC, ETSI, ISO, IEEE)
- Highlight the strategic importance of standards for technology development, interoperability, and market access
- Encourage reflective and interactive learning through questions, discussion, and a serious game
- Emphasize the link between standards, standardization and European values
- Assess students’ understanding through a final examination
Duration and Schedule
The pilot consisted of three sessions for a total of 12 teaching hours, delivered as follows:
- Friday 21.11.25 – 4 hours (14:00–18:00)
Introductory lecture – Hybrid format (online + in-presence, recorded) - Friday 28.11.25 – 4 hours (14:00–18:00)
IEEE Mars Standardization Game and guided reflection – In-presence only (not recorded) - Friday 12.12.25 – 4.5 hours (14:00–18:30)
Final session and exam – Online only (recorded)
Trainer and Trainees
- Trainer:
Nizar Abdelkafi, Professor at Politecnico di Milano - Trainees:
Engineering students from Politecnico di Milano, enrolled at Bachelor and Master level
Number of Participants
- Total number of participants: 9 students