Master’s and Doctoral Thesis Competition in Engineering Education
3MT® (Three Minute Thesis)
For 2026, LACCEI announces the 3MT® in Engineering Education (EE) category, aimed at Master’s and Doctoral theses in Engineering Education, within the framework of the international Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) initiative, created by the University of Queensland in 2008, and currently conducted in more than 900 universities across over 85 countries worldwide.
The competition is jointly coordinated by the University of Florida, Texas A&M University, and LACCEI.
This category is intended for research that contributes to the improvement, transformation, and evaluation of engineering education processes, including pedagogical, curricular, technological, and societal impact perspectives.
The goal of LACCEI 3MT® – Engineering Education (EE) is for participants to communicate the results and contributions of their research in a maximum of three minutes, using clear and accessible language for a non-specialist academic audience.
Important note: The Engineering Education (EE) category provides academic recognition and official LACCEI certification, but is not associated with the Dr. Leonardo Alcayhuaman Acostupa Award nor the Dr. Priamo Rodríguez Castillo Award, which are exclusively granted under the Engineering Research and Engineering Practice (ER/EP) category.
Recognition in the Engineering Education (EE) Category
Within the 3MT® – Engineering Education (EE) category, separate academic recognition will be granted for each academic level:
- Academic Recognition for the Best Master’s Thesis in Engineering Education
- Academic Recognition for the Best Doctoral Thesis in Engineering Education
Each recognition will be awarded to the thesis that achieves the highest evaluation score within its respective category (Master’s or Doctoral), based on the established evaluation criteria.
These recognitions include official LACCEI certification and international academic visibility within the 3MT® framework.
Important clarification: The Engineering Education (EE) category provides independent recognition for Master’s and Doctoral theses, but is not associated with the Dr. Leonardo Alcayhuaman Acostupa Award nor the Dr. Priamo Rodríguez Castillo Award, which are exclusively granted under the Engineering Research and Engineering Practice (ER/EP) category.
General Presentation Rules
- Theses defended in 2024, 2025, or 2026
- Free of charge and 100% virtual
- Maximum presentation time: 3 minutes
- One single static slide (no animations or transitions)
- Continuous video, no editing
- Spoken presentation only
- No props or additional electronic media
- The jury’s decision is final
Submission Guidelines
Participants must submit two files:
- Extended abstract of the research (for publication in the proceedings – see TEMPLATE)
- 3-minute video presentation
Platform: ConfTool LACCEI 2026
Track: Master Thesis or Doctoral Thesis in Engineering Education (EE)
Evaluation Criteria
1) Comprehension and Content:
- Clear presentation of the problem and/or objective in engineering education
- Clearly explained methodology
- Relevant and well-communicated results and conclusions
2) Engagement and Communication:
- Clear speech and language appropriate for a non-specialist audience
- Proper use of the required slide template
- Ability to capture and maintain audience attention
Scope of the Engineering Education (EE) Category
The 3MT in Engineering Education (EE) is aimed at theses whose primary contribution is educational, that is:
- The object of study is engineering education, including teaching and learning processes, assessment, academic management, or professional formation in engineering.
- The impact is educational, formative, institutional, or social, associated with improving the quality, equity, relevance, or effectiveness of engineering education.
- Engineering as a technical discipline is not the main focus, although it may serve as the context of the study (for example, a specific course, program, or laboratory).
For example, studies focused on how to teach, assess, or manage a system, technology, or engineering program belong to EE, even if the system itself is highly technical.
- Curriculum innovation in engineering
- Learning assessment and outcomes
- Accreditation and quality assurance
- Remote, virtual, and hybrid laboratories
- Artificial intelligence and educational technologies
- Student retention in engineering
In this Master’s and Doctoral 3MT – EE category, the following are included:
- Research in engineering education
- Curricular and pedagogical innovation
- Learning assessment and outcomes evaluation
- Management and quality assurance in engineering education
- Studies on student retention
- Use of technologies, artificial intelligence, and digital environments for teaching and learning
3MT–EE theses must align with one or more of the following official tracks:
- Accreditation, Assessment, Dual Degree, Certificate Programs, and Degree Equivalency of Engineering
- Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics in Engineering Education
- Enhancing Undergraduate Education and Curriculum Improvement
- Ethics and Society in Engineering Education
- Government, Industry, and University
- Management of Engineering Education
- Online and Remote Laboratories
- Recruitment and Retention in Engineering
- Technology for Teaching and Learning, E-Learning, and Distance Education
Clarifying examples:
- Evaluation of the impact of remote laboratories in engineering courses
- Use of artificial intelligence to improve student retention
- Analysis of accreditation processes and learning outcomes
- Curriculum innovation in engineering programs
- Strategies to increase women’s participation in engineering
❌ Not EE:
- Technical development of a system or algorithm without an educational focus (this belongs to ER/EP)
- Technological optimization whose primary goal is not educational