Whiteacre, M., & Otey, J. M. (2011, June), Truss Projects as Aids in Visualizing Internal Forces: Student Perceptions versus Achievement  Paper presented at 2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Vancouver, BC. 10.18260/1-2--18698

\bibitem{asee_peer_18698}
  Whiteacre, M., \& Otey, J. M. (2011, June), \emph{Truss Projects as Aids in Visualizing Internal Forces: Student Perceptions versus Achievement}
  Paper presented at 2011 ASEE Annual Conference \& Exposition, Vancouver, BC.
  10.18260/1-2--18698

Matthew Whiteacre and Jeffrey M. Otey.  "Truss Projects as Aids in Visualizing Internal Forces: Student Perceptions versus Achievement".  2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Vancouver, BC, 2011, June.  ASEE Conferences, 2011.  https://peer.asee.org/18698 Internet.  18 Apr, 2024

\bibitem{asee_peer_18698}
  Matthew Whiteacre and Jeffrey M. Otey.
  "Truss Projects as Aids in Visualizing Internal Forces: Student Perceptions versus Achievement".
  \emph{2011 ASEE Annual Conference \& Exposition, Vancouver, BC, 2011, June}.
  ASEE Conferences, 2011.
  https://peer.asee.org/18698 Internet.  18 Apr, 2024

@INPROCEEDINGS{asee_peer_18698
author = "Matthew Whiteacre and Jeffrey M. Otey"
title = "Truss Projects as Aids in Visualizing Internal Forces: Student Perceptions versus Achievement"
booktitle = "2011 ASEE Annual Conference \& Exposition"
year = "2011"
month = "June"
address = "Vancouver, BC"
publisher = "ASEE Conferences"
note = {https://peer.asee.org/18698}
number = {10.18260/1-2--18698}
}

TY  - CPAPER
AB  -                Truss Projects as Aids in Visualizing Internal Forces:                     Student Perceptions versus AchievementThe Dwight Look College of Engineering at Texas A&M University received a grant from theNational Science Foundation entitled, “STEPS: Retention Through Applied Physics,Engineering, and Mathematics.” in order to decrease freshmen attrition. A project orientedcurriculum, used to reinforce the interdisciplinary nature of math and physics with engineering,was installed in introductory freshmen engineering classes. The Freshmen Engineering Programwas divided into three tracks, reflecting the academic priorities of each department. Themechanics track (primarily aerospace, civil, and mechanical engineering) instituted a project thatexamines the topic of statics by analyzing a truss of student design using Magnastix, aneducational product made up of magnetic sticks and steel spheres. Student teams were givenbasic minimum requirements to fulfill, but truss design was open ended. Requirements includeda testable physical and mathematical model. Other project requirements included calculation oflive load capacity and a comparison to actual failure load, examination of the factor of safety,construction cost, and completion of a report that discussed discrepancies between theoreticaland actual failure load.At project’s end, optional student surveys were collected about the value of the truss project(from student perspective) and whether students reported increased confidence as they enterfuture engineering mechanics courses. This paper discusses survey results that reflect studentattitudes about the perceived value of the project as an aid in visualizing internal forces and acomparison of grade point averages in college-wide statics classes before and after incorporationof the truss project.
AU  - Matthew Whiteacre
AU  - Jeffrey M. Otey
CY  - Vancouver, BC
DA  - 2011/06/26
PB  - ASEE Conferences
TI  - Truss Projects as Aids in Visualizing Internal Forces: Student Perceptions versus Achievement
UR  - https://peer.asee.org/18698
DO  - 10.18260/1-2--18698
ER  -