This study describes the implementation of the development and experimental fabrication of an engine as a tool in laboratory practices for the Thermodynamics course in the Aerospace Engineering program at the University of Cádiz. During this experimental practice, students were tasked with developing and building a Stirling engine using mostly recycled materials obtained from home. After completing the activity, a survey was conducted with the 70 students who participated. The results revealed that the students rated the pedagogical experience of this proposed activity positively, especially when compared to traditional methods in engineering. While students acknowledged the significant time investment and some difficulty in the fabrication process, they also expressed a high level of enjoyment during the activity and satisfaction with the final outcome. Moreover, the vast majority of students reported an increase in their motivation toward the subject. These findings demonstrate that experimental activities are an effective pedagogical tool capable of stimulating students, even at the university level, where a lack of motivation is a common challenge. By providing hands-on experiences, these activities contribute to creating a more dynamic and enriching learning environment.

Keywords: Stirling engine, Thermodynamics, practical experience, educational innovation, higher education.