Promoting Active Learning of Competences in Control Engineering with Take-Home Maglev Labs

We present a set of potential Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) and associated Teaching and Learning Activities (TLAs) for a low-cost, portable, open-source magnetic levitation (maglev) lab designed to support hands-on learning in control engineering. Beyond outlining how this platform can provide students with practical experience, we share insights from our classroom implementation. Specifically, we discuss how the setup aids in intuition development in system modeling, controller design, and stability analysis, along with recommendations for making it engaging and interactive. We also highlight how the lab's reconfigurable nature enables experimentation with different configurations and control strategies, making it suitable for various inquiry-based learning techniques. Finally, we describe how the lab has been integrated into coursework, present student feedback on accessibility and practicality, and report preliminary findings on its effectiveness in promoting self-efficacy.