Students who begin university studies generally have some characteristics ( lack of habits and skills) which can often be an obstacle for their development in a different field and with other teaching and learning patterns, but there are two elements that can contribute positively in this process: motivation and integration of what is learned in different subjects. In this article we describe the strategy developed in a first course in Computer Programming, based on solving engineering problems, where students work with the problem throughout the year, with a project organized in stages. While the ultimate goal is to develop a computer application, they must work in the searching of extracurricular information, resignifying the learning of different subjects, building tools that are useful for other students.