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Science, technology and engineering students, within the scope of the European Higher Education Area, often approach their subjects as chunks of knowledge due to the very construction of the teaching plans and the interdepartmental structure of the universities, that is, without deepening the interrelationship between these chunks and the future working reality that the student will have to live. During this research, a board game was designed, within the framework of STEAM education, in order to establish the dynamics of playful activities to generate a gamified learning environment. Through a planned, organized, directed and systematic research process, the effect of the use of the board game on the academic grades of engineering students was assessed, based on the hypothesis that the use of this game allows the acquisition not only of knowledge, but also of the ability to integrate the knowledge of subjects directly linked to the STEAM environment. The analysis of the results verified the initial hypothesis of this research, confirming the positive effect that the use of gamified elements has in STEAM environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For many years, the treatment of environmental and social issues in Engineering, Architecture and Design has been characterized by an enormous conceptual and methodological diversity. Several, and even identical, issues are being treated in different areas in isolation, with little multidisciplinary approach. This research seeks the theoretical foundations for a management of sustainability in the Project disciplines that refers to the conceptual roots from which it is possible to draw common approaches and interdisciplinary fields of work. Base don the Principles of Green Engineering and Risk Management, our proposal is an exploration in common aspects that promote mutual learning, from the Inherently Safer Design proposed by Trevor Kletz to a variety of proposals of Sustainable Architecture, Ecodesign and Design for Sustainibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Develop a model of the decision making process for the sustainable construction of public works. Methodology. Methodology: Procedure consisted in the application of interviews to decision makers, selected through a sample of experts. Next, the variables or codes were identified, which were incorporated into a qualitative data analysis system to obtain the weights of the variables in order to develop a sustainable decision model and generate scenarios with different alternatives. Results: The decision-making model obtained was integrated from the transformation of the qualitative data coded through a scale to establish the corresponding quantitative values. The general matrix of vectors was obtained, from which the alternative is selected according to the criteria of sustainability and decision making with sustainable rationality. Limitations: During the investigation, logistical difficulties arose in the choice of decision makers that led to the modification of the sample. Conclusions: The conclusions of the research is that, with the application of the model of sustainable rationality of the decision-making process for the construction of public works, it will be feasible to change the limited rationality or rational expectations by selecting an alternative from several, to a sustainable rationality that allow to support in the definition of public policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The construction industry is involved significantly with the use of natural resources and environmental impacts. Different strategies for mitigating the environmental footprint of buildings have emerged and the development of environmental standards and certifications have been established as the most remarkable tools. The present work adopts four criteria of typifying sustainable rating systems for buildings emphasizing on the geaographic and social context; Influence, accessibility, weighting and environmental impact measurement; to evaluate the Bogota Construcción Sostenible rating system. In addition it suggests the creation of an informatic tool that facilitates the accessibility and adjustment of the credits weighting in order to better respond to the social and geographical context of the city of Bogotá. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a result of the growing biodiesel market, an increase in the supply of crude glycerin obtained as a byproduct of the process is occurring. This has motivated the study of its use. In this work, we applied a Qualitative Method for Points, considering three factors to classify the options of glycerin utilization: (i). SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities y Threats), (ii). Cost analysis and (iii). Environmental impact assessment. Each factor was assigned a weighting and whose result establishes the feasibility of each alternative studied for a biodiesel production plant of 20,000 l/day, which generates about 2000 kg /day of crude glycerin. The result is a hierarchy of feasibility of implementing the alternatives, in which the use of crude glycerin in the production of fertilizers is the best option, since it improves soil fertility by incorporating byproducts and agro-industrial waste, It is also one of the lower cost options for implementation. The evaluation method is suitable for an initial estimate of the different uses of crude glycerin, requiring a later and more detailed analysis of the best option. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

El artículo discurre sobre el desarrollo de los códigos de construcción en Colombia, el tema central de la conferencia de la "Revista de Ingeniería" en 2014. El autor comenta sobre algunos de las presentaciones de la conferencia, incluyendo una sobre la construcción urbana, una sobre el International Code Council y una sobre la construcción sostenible.

El artículo presenta un discurso de Alonso Cárdenas durante la conferencia "Los Códigos en la construcción en Colombia: Aproximaciones y Aplicaciones." Discurre sobre el rol del Ministerio de Vivienda, Ciudad y Territorio de Colombia en las políticas asociadas con la construcción y describe la importancia de la construcción sostenible.