Cross border collaborative learning through Capstone Engineering Projects
- Conference
- Location
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Columbus , Ohio
- Publication Date
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June 28, 2017
- Start Date
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June 28, 2017
- End Date
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June 28, 2017
- Conference Session
- Tagged Topic
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Main Forum (Podium Presentation)
- Page Count
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9
- DOI
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10.18260/1-2--29280
- Permanent URL
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https://peer.asee.org/29280
- Download Count
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343
Paper Authors
Immanuel Edinbarough P.E. University of Texas, Rio Grande Valley
Immanuel A. Edinbarough received his B.Sc. (Applied Sciences) degree from PSG College of Technology, University of Madras, India, his B.E.. (M.E.) degree from the Institution of Engineers, India, M.E. (Production Engineering) degree from PSG College of Technology, Bharathiar University, India, and his Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from the Bharathiar University, India. He is currently a professor and director of engineering technology at the University of Texas, Brownsville (UTB). Prior to joining the UTB faculty he was a visiting professor at the Rochester Institute of Technology and an associate professor of production engineering technology at PSG College of Technology, Bharathiar University, India, where he served as the director of the Computer Vision Laboratory and National Cadet Corps – Engineering Division Director. With over 26 years of teaching and research experience in manufacturing/mechanical engineering and engineering technology, he currently teaches in the areas of CAD/CAM/CIM, robotics and automation, product and process design, materials and manufacturing processes, machine design, renewable energy and micro-manufacturing. His current research interests include robotics, CIM, sustainable manufacturing, micro machining and engineering and technology education. He has published several papers in these areas in various national and international conferences and journals. He has worked in heavy and light manufacturing industries, manufacturing pumps, motors, and CNC machine tools in the areas of system design, production planning, and control and manufacturing. Edinbarough also served in paramilitary forces and in the Air Force. He is a Life Member of the ISTE, a senior life member of the IE (India), a member of ASEE and SME, and a licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.) in the state of Texas.
Adriana Olvera
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
orcid.org/0000-0003-2009-430X
Adriana Olvera is currently a lecturer of Manufacturing Engineering at the College of Engineering and Computer Science, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV). She received her Masters in Architecture from the School of Architecture of the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico (UNAM), in 2011. She received her Bachelor’s in Architecture from Universidad de Monterrey (UDEM), in 2007. Her current research interests include sustainable building design, building automation, and smart environments.
Abstract
Cross border collaborative learning through Capstone Engineering Projects
Abstract
The University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) located in the southmost border, Texas-Mexico, is a vast region containing distinctive geographical, cultural, economic and environmental elements, which altogether create a unique area that requires specific strategies to manage the solutions to the problems that arise from the undergoing globalization process.
The importance of these elements has created a need for a continuous improvement of the higher education mechanism in the zone. One of the most important needs of our community is cross cultural, educational opportunities that will enable them to find better job opportunities in the region.
As a minority serving institution, UTRGV aims to provide the students with the tools and skills required to solve the problems of the community, by preparing them to join the workforce with a strong basic and applied research background. The College of Engineering at UTRGV has set its goals to provide coursework that will lead to research with an international impact.
The opportunities to learn industrial practices through internships, undergraduate research, and the experiences of the faculty members, provide the students with practical engineering skills to address the current engineering and technological challenges through “out of the box” innovative solutions.
The Engineering Technology program at UTRGV offers a wide range of options in which the students will develop these skills. At the end of their coursework, they must complete an industry-related, research-based capstone project, which in specific cases involve the design and development of a functional prototype.
The Capstone project is offered in a two course sequence of Senior Project I and II. In Senior Project I, students use their time to identify an engineering problem and proceed to develop an optimum solution. At this stage, they also conduct a thorough research on the topic and complete planning and design of the project. The subsequent Senior Project II is used to build and test the functional prototype. These capstone courses, are planned for the students to develop a year-long project, that will provide them an opportunity to apply the skills that they have learned and developed through the program coursework.
A successful example of a cross border capstone design project in the Engineering Technology program at UTRGV is presented in this paper. The capstone project is to design and manufacture a functional, real-scale prototype of an “Intelligent Closet”. The methods used, technology developed and the lessons learned in this project are discussed in the paper. This includes the impact of this project in enhancing the educational outcome of the program.
Edinbarough, I., & Olvera, A. (2017, June), Cross border collaborative learning through Capstone Engineering Projects Paper presented at 2017 ASEE International Forum, Columbus , Ohio. 10.18260/1-2--29280
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