PROJECT-BASED LEARNING APPROACH FOR LOW COST ECG CONSTRUCTION AND CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH OUTREACH

Project-Based Learning (PBL) is a student-centered active learning methodology in which students acquire knowledge by addressing authentic, meaningful, real-world problems through projects. This approach fosters critical thinking, collaboration, and autonomy, as opposed to passive information reception. By investigating, researching, and creating solutions or final products, students engage in practical, motivating learning that effectively bridges the gap between theory and practice. Cardiovascular diseases represent nearly one-third of deaths in Brazil, highlighting the importance of the electrocardiogram (ECG) in assessing health. Our PBL approach encouraged students to build low-cost ECGs using an easy-to-read manual at classroom workstations. Results confirmed that students were able to engage with the social and biomedical engineering aspects of our project by gathering information about cardiology and generating the expected cardiac signals. Furthermore, the manual fulfilled its purpose by facilitating the comprehension and replication of the project by students and teachers. While initial technical challenges occurred due to low signal amplitude, they were overcome with the help of specialized amplifiers. In conclusion, the project was successfully completed through this PBL approach, significantly contributing to cardiovascular health awareness and scientific education among the students.