On October 29, 2026, the Department of Energy conducted an interactive masterclass titled “Practical Session as a Space for Collaborative Search and Justification of Engineering Solutions”, aligned with SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure). The session was led by ALT Associate Professor A.T. Yegzekova.
Using the course “Traction and Transformer Substations” as a baseline model, participants were introduced to practical class methodologies utilizing the case-study framework. Working in assigned teams with distinct functional roles, students executed complex high-voltage equipment selection, performed engineering calculations, engaged in peer reviews, and defended their technical choices.
The masterclass showcased structural elements of Kagan Cooperative Learning: individual reflection, team discussion, consensus building, and individual accountability. Primary focus was directed toward ensuring equal student participation, developing argumentation skills, and building collective ownership of results.
Participants learned practical techniques for assigning team roles, using checklists and color-coded assessment cards for peer review, and structuring team defense presentations. This methodology fosters active student engagement, sharpens critical engineering mindsets, and elevates communication skills.
This initiative advances higher educational quality and incorporates practice-oriented teaching frameworks (SDG 4), while the applied technical problem-solving directly supports SDG 9.
The masterclass received highly positive feedback from academic colleagues, who highlighted its practical utility across broader engineering disciplines.
Authors: S.M. Utepbergenova, A.T. Yegzekova
