The PCM Approach to Project-Based Learning: Hands-On, Industry-Focused Training
At Presson Circuit Modules, Inc. (PCM), we believe that Project-Based Learning (PBL) is the key to developing job-ready skills in electronics and mechatronics. Our approach ensures that students gain real-world experience by working with industry-relevant components, test equipment, and automation systems.
Unlike traditional education, PCM’s hands-on PBL model goes beyond textbooks, encouraging students to study manufacturer datasheets, application notes, and reference designs—just as they would in a real engineering or field technician role.
Two Career Paths: Engineering & Field Technicians
Two Career Paths: Engineering & Field Technicians
PCM recognizes that students in electronics and mechatronics typically follow one of two career tracks:
🔹Engineering (Lab Coat Jobs) – Working for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), designing and improving electronic systems.
🔹Field Technicians (Hard Hat Jobs) – Installing and maintaining automated manufacturing and material handling systems.
To prepare students for both career paths, our mini capstone projects provide short, intense, and practical experiences, ensuring they are ready for real-world industry challenges.
Avoiding Rabbit Holes
Mini Capstone Projects: Real-World Problem Solving
Traditional PBL programs often allow students to take on large-scale projects. However, we believe this can lead to “rabbit holes”—overly complex problems that distract from essential learning objectives.
Instead, PCM’s mini capstone projects are designed to:
🔹Be completed in a few days
🔹Focus on component-level control circuitry
🔹Involve microcontrollers, sensors, and electromechanical actuators
🔹Simulate real industrial environments
Reinventing the Wheel
Rather than redesigning an entire wind turbine, for example, students focus on building and testing specific circuit modules—just like they would in an industrial automation setting and Project-Based Learning in Electronics.
Why PCM’s Project-Based Learning Works
✔️ Structured, Hands-On Approach – Students work with real breadboards, test equipment, and circuit modules, ensuring practical experience.
✔️ Industry-Relevant Training – Every project mimics real-world industrial automation scenarios.
✔️ Time-Bound Challenges – Just like in the workplace, students must deliver results within a set timeframe.
✔️ Problem-Solving Mindset – Engineers and technicians must troubleshoot quickly—our curriculum ensures students develop these critical skills.
There are pros and cons about letting students pull an idea out of a hat
By the end of each project, students will have a working prototype—an experience that gives them a competitive edge in the job market.
Preparing for the Future of Electronics & Mechatronics, Project-Based Learning in Electronics
The companies that hire our students operate in highly competitive industries. To succeed, future engineers and technicians must be prepared to work efficiently, solve problems quickly, and adapt to new technologies.
At PCM, we don’t just teach electronics—we prepare students for successful careers in a rapidly evolving industry.
🔹 Want to learn more about our approach? Get in Touch and let’s discuse the future insights on hands-on learning!
