  A hybrid teaching approach that relied on combining Project Based Learning
with Team Based Learning was trialled in an engineering module during the past
five years. Our motivation was to expose students to real-world authentic
engineering problems and to steer them away from the classical 'banking'
approach, with a view to developing their systems engineering skills via deeper
and more collaborative learning. Our third year module was called Team Design
and Project Skills and was concerned with 320 students dividing themselves in
teams to develop a smart electronic system. We reveal module design details and
discuss the effectiveness of our teaching approach via analysis of student
grades during the past five years, as well as data from surveys that were
completed by 68 students. 64% of surveyed students agreed that the module
helped broaden their perspective in electronic systems design. Moreover, 84%
recognised that this module was a valuable component in their degree programme.
Adopting this approach in an engineering curriculum enabled students to
integrate knowledge in areas that included control systems, image processing,
embedded systems, sensors, as well as team working, decision making, trouble
shooting and project planning.
