Laboratory based learning is central to engineering education and can be a natural mechanism for implementing CDIO principles, yet traditional “follow the recipe” formats can limit student autonomy and engagement. In programmes where integrated CDIO design–build–test (DBT) experiences already exist, the continued use of traditional, standalone laboratories raises questions about how students perceive these, and how they might better complement the wider CDIO ethos. This study describes a workshop which explored what students currently value in traditional laboratories in a Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering undergraduate degree course, identifies perceived gaps, and maps these to the CDIO Syllabus. Students recognised the benefits of traditional laboratory formats and cited aspects that mapped across the whole CDIO syllabus, with the highest emphasis on Section 2: Personal and Professional Skills and Attributes (~40% of comments). When suggesting areas for improvement however, suggestions were concentrated in Section 4: Conceiving, Designing, Implementing and Operating (>68% of comments), with students calling for greater involvement in designing, setting up and operating experiments, more complexity, integration of design and manufacture, smaller group sizes and tighter lecture-laboratory alignment. Students also proposed concepts for multi session, DBT laboratory activities that culminate in testing and analysis, shifting emphasis from commercial teaching laboratory equipment toward authentic, iterative projects aligned with the CDIO ethos and with Student Centred Learning (SCL) principles. These student-generated concepts were also found to be readily shaped to meet required learning outcomes. The findings from this study will drive the next phase of development and transformation of the laboratory programme at the authors’ institution with planned future work to redesign laboratories with the aim of developing a student-centred structure that allows students to take ownership of their practical learning and enhances the opportunities for students to achieve and excel in CDIO aligned learning outcomes.
