Paper Authors

Abstract

NOTE: The first page of text has been automatically extracted and included below in lieu of an abstract

Experiments to Teach Engineering Using Sports Applications

Abstract

The context of sporting activities can be an exciting way to teach engineering principles. We are in the process of developing a series of hands-on modules in order to introduce engineering students to mechanical, aerospace, and chemical engineering principles through application to sports and sports performance. The modules allow for students to explore topics such as aerodynamics, mechanics and transport in the context of sports. The modules will be used in a freshman level course focused on engineering measurements, a new senior undergraduate elective course and integrated into other core courses in mechanical and chemical engineering. The purpose of this paper is to describe the experiments that will be conducted by the students, their relation to science and engineering principles found in sports, various measurements and calculations that the students will perform and how the modules fit within the curriculum.

Introduction

Faculty at Rowan University, Drexel University and Gloucester County College are working on an integrated effort to develop effective modules for teaching engineering from an applied, multidisciplinary point of view. The basis of the project is the fact that the world of sports provides for an exciting basis to study multidisciplinary engineering principles and that most students can relate to sporting activities in some way or another, either as a participant or spectator. Over 90 million people in the U.S. over the age of 6 are frequent exercisers or participants in recreational sports. A clear majority of the population (68% or 170 million people) participated at least once in any of the sports/activities monitored by ASD.[1] Due to the popularity of sports, studying technology and its effect on sports is a good way to teach basic theories but also a way to allow students to bring their designs to the marketplace. “Studying some of the dynamic effects contained in sports, we can introduce all of the dynamic systems that we are trying to teach our students. Students tend to tune out when studying the same old greasy gearbox.”[2] These ideas were combined with the key features of the Rowan Engineering program, (1) multidisciplinary education through collaborative laboratory and course work; (2) teamwork as the necessary framework for solving complex problems; (3) incorporation of state- of-the-art technologies throughout the curricula; and (4) creation of continuous opportunities for technical communication [3], to develop this project.

The goals of the project are to: - engage students and improve learning through novel hands-on experimentation, - generate excitement among undergraduate students by integrating sports and engineering, - provide undergraduate students with the opportunity to work on projects related to sports and sports technology, - collaborate with health and exercise science faculty and students, particularly in the study of sports science and related injuries - host activities for targeted audiences such as K-12 outreach, teacher training and new faculty preparation

• Citation

• Format
  • APA
  • APA - LaTeX bibitem
  • MLA
  • MLA - LaTeX bibitem
  • Bibtex
  • EndNote - RIS

Kadlowec, J., & Pearlman, H., & Biren, G., & Chen, J., & Farrell, S., & Navvab, A., & Marchese, A., & Sterner, R. (2007, June), Team Play! Integrating Sports Into The Engineering Curriculum Paper presented at 2007 Annual Conference & Exposition, Honolulu, Hawaii. 10.18260/1-2--1489